Roy Hodgson believes Sotirios Kyrgiakos is supplementing Liverpool with an extra dimension to their attacking capabilities.

The powerful centre-back has contributed two goals to the Reds' cause so far this season, while also proving an indomitable presence at the back.

Hodgson admits he is thrilled with the form of Kyrgiakos and feels the Greek has established himself as a real asset in his first-team blueprint.

"He's very dangerous in the opposing team's penalty area, there's no doubt about it. And he defends well in ours," the boss told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Against teams who play long balls and try to get you to submit to their aerial bombardment, with goalkeepers who come towards the half way line to kick the ball into your penalty area, you do need players who are good in the air.

"You need players who are brave and strong and prepared to put their head on the ball. We knew he was good at doing that in our area - but this season he's been doing it in the opposing area too.

"Every time we get a corner he's dangerous."

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He added: "He is making our corner kicks look a hell of a lot better but we should really be doing much better at corners because we have got one of the best deliverers of a ball (Gerrard) around.

"You can see that Soto really wants to get his head on it. He is like the way Tony Adams used to be and, before that, Jackie Charlton or how John Terry is now. It's not that they have got clever movement or they jump higher, they just want to get there."

Meanwhile, Hodgson believes Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Blackburn last Sunday was a result of the hard work the players have put in on the Melwood training pitches in recent weeks.

"It was a good reward for the work the players have been putting in every training session," he said.

"We were talking at lunch yesterday how the squad has maintained a very high level, a very good quality in training, and it was nice to see that getting some rewards on Sunday afternoon."