"The chance to show his talents in the Champions League was one of the reasons he decided to come to a top side. He wanted to play in Europe at the highest level," said the Liverpool boss.
"Mentally he is ready for this challenge. When you can play as well as he has done in the Premier League then you can play in Europe no problems.
"He is only young, 23, but the problem was he was in the Atletico Madrid team since he was 17 and was waiting, waiting for them to get into the Champions League. Now he has the opportunity to show what he can do at this level."