LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson hailed the arrival of Raul Meireles as he set his sights on signing a striker before the transfer window closes tomorrow.

Portugal international midfielder Meireles has penned a four-year contract after making a £11.5million switch from Porto.

Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky is set to follow him to Merseyside in a £3.5million deal which will see reserve team striker Lauri Dalla Valle head in the opposite direction.

Both Meireles and Konchesky were at Anfield to watch yesterday’s unconvincing 1-0 victory over West Brom.

“We’re very pleased to have Raul,” Hodgson said.

“We’ve lost some quality midfield players with Yossi Benayoun, Albert Riera and Javier Mascherano going and Alberto Aquilani heading out on loan, so it’s very good to bring in Christian Poulsen and now Raul. They are two quality players to boost our squad.

“It was much needed because otherwise we would be short of players in that area.

“I hope the deal to sign Paul will be done in the next couple of days. One of our talented young players who Fulham have fancied for a while is going in the other direction.

“That’s holding it up slightly because he has to have a medical but I’m hoping it’s just a technical hitch and Paul will be signed.”