Liverpool's new signing Andriy Voronin has backed compatriot Andriy Shevchenko to show his true class next season, after the Ukrainian endured a difficult first year at Chelsea.

Shevchenko scored 14 goals in 51 appearances for the Blues last term, but struggled in the Premier League, netting four times in 30 outings.

However, Voronin is adamant that his Ukraine team-mate will prove to be worthy of the £30million Chelsea paid AC Milan for his services.

He told the Daily Express: "I spoke to Shevchenko about coming to Liverpool and he remains one of the great strikers in Europe.

"He didn't perform as well as he was expected to last season, but he played in Italian football for seven seasons with AC Milan and that league is totally different to the English game.

"Maybe he just needed a little more time to get used to the English style. I think he'll do better this season because he is a goalscorer."

Voronin moved to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen this summer on a Bosman free transfer, having spent three seasons with the German club.