Exclusive: Adebayo Akinfenwa highlights strengths of January signing for Liverpool

Wycombe Wanderers forward and Liverpool fan Adebayo Akinfenwa has exclusively told Anfield Watch that he thinks Ben Davies is an excellent passer of the ball having played against him this season.

Akinfenwa claims Davies is very good on the ball and capable of striding out with possession to start attacks for his team, which he witnessed first-hand in the Championship earlier this season when his side played Preston.

Liverpool confirmed the signing of Davies from Preston on deadline day earlier this month, with the centre-back signing a long-term contract at the club. Sky Sports reported that Liverpool agreed a deal worth up to £1.6m with Preston for Davies.

Speaking exclusively to Anfield Watch, Akinfenwa offered his thoughts on Davies and his experience playing against him. "I think he did alright. We drew that game (against Preston) 2-2. I think, and I've heard his manager say it, he's very good on the ball, comfortable on the ball and he likes striding out with it, which I hate because it means I have to try and chase him so it's no fun for me.

"Listen, you put yourself around better players, and this is no disrespect to anybody at Preston or in the Championship, you play with the world-class players Liverpool have got and you would like to think he will develop and acclimatise himself.

"So, look, he's young, or youngish, so fingers crossed he does well for Liverpool!"

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT 

Davies has not had the chance to show what he can do in a Liverpool shirt yet, but Akinfenwa's comments on his passing are promising. If he has the quality on the ball to progress play with his passes then he could fit in well with Liverpool's possession-based play.

It is difficult to judge a player's passing from just their statistics, but his passing accuracy was a cut above the rest of Preston's centre-back's this season. Davies' 79% pass completion was clear of Patrick Bauer and Jordan Storey's 73%, showing that he was, at the very least, more competent on the ball than his teammates. Akinfenwa has backed that up with his personal assessment of the defender, having played against him, as he backs his ability on the ball.

Hopefully, Davies can get the opportunity to start a game for the Reds between now and the end of the season and showcase his passing quality. As Akinfenwa says, Davies has the ability to drive out from the back with the ball and that could open up space for the midfielders to pick up good positions to receive the ball and create chances, with opposition players potentially drawn to Davies' movement.

See more of our interview with Adebayo below.