"It's a fantastic move for Robbie. We looked at the signing of Fernando Torres last year and even though we didn't expect him to do as well as he did, it was that sort of big signing we'd been after. Robbie is in that same category," said the former Red.
"He is getting better and better as a player. I have followed his career closely. I played with him in his early days and through doing work in the Irish media I have been able to keep an eye on his progress. He is learning the game all the time and becoming the complete striker.
"It really will be a surreal experience for him when he plays for the first time. I've been through it myself and it's incredible. He will have no problems settling in because he's an infectious character. He's a great character to have around the dressing room. If things aren't going too well then he'll be the one rallying around the players.
"He's played for some fantastic clubs for fantastic managers and with great strike partners - but now is the perfect time for him to come to Liverpool."