Season Shape-Up - Liverpool

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has found himself in the position of fending off interest in his stars rather than bring in new players. Benitez has seen a number of his top names linked with moves away from Anfield with the Spaniard fighting to keep hold of midfield pair Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.

Alonso, who was arguably Liverpool's player of the season last term, has again found his future on Merseyside the subject of conjecture for a second successive summer with big-spending Real Madrid hoping to lure the Spanish schemer back to his homeland.

Real and Barcelona have both been linked with Mascherano leaving Benitez facing the horror of losing his first-choice midfield.

Benitez is determined to keep the pair having already seen long-term target Gareth Barry slip through his fingers with the England international heading to cash-rich Manchester City.

Fernando Torres has been linked with a shock move to Manchester United in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's impending departure from Old Trafford, but it is certain any approach for the Spanish hit-man would be given short shrift.

Liverpool have enjoyed success in the transfer market already this summer beating title rivals Chelsea to the signing of Glen Johnson from Portsmouth.

Both clubs agreed fees with Portsmouth for Johnson, but Benitez got one over Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti by persuading him to make the move to Merseyside rather than Stamford Bridge.

Johnson has agreed a £17.5million switch to Anfield and although Benitez admits he has paid over the odds for the England international the full-back will add to Liverpool's defensive strength.

Benitez has claimed Liverpool have funds available for one more big signing without selling and Valencia winger David Silva is thought to be his top target.

WHAT THEY NEED

Not much. There are not too many changes needed to the Liverpool squad with just a little tinkering required to transform Benitez's side into champions.

The spine of the team is strong with just a couple of additions needed to provide cover in case of injuries.

Liverpool led the way in the title race for much of last season, losing only twice all campaign, but they still saw arch-rivals Manchester United match their record of 18 league titles.

Their biggest problem last term was that they ended up drawing more than Rolf Harris and these dropped points ultimately cost them the championship.

Benitez has addressed the need to enhance the right-side of the team with Johnson adding to the defensive and attacking options of the starting XI.

The full-back was one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League last term and his buccaneering runs down the right will provide a major outlet for the Reds' midfield.

A striker to provide cover for Torres is a must, with the Spaniard sorely missed when injured last term.

A move for Robbie Keane failed to work with the Irishman cutting a hasty return to Tottenham after less than six months at Liverpool.

David Ngog is still too raw to be seen as a replacement for Torres and Benitez must add to his attacking options to take the goalscoring burden off the shoulders of Torres and Reds skipper Steven Gerrard.

With sides defending in numbers against the Reds at Anfield, Benitez needs that someone who can produce that little something different to open sides up.

A new left-sided winger could be brought in as Albert Riera went off the boil in the second half of the season after a bright start to his Liverpool career.

Valencia winger Silva has been continually linked with a move to Liverpool, with Benitez not hiding his admiration for the Spanish international.

Silva is expected to leave cash-strapped Valencia this summer, but Liverpool could find themselves priced out of a move for the talented wide-man.

WHAT THEY WILL GET

Benitez has already got one of his top targets in the shape of Johnson and who else he gets will depend on how much money is left for him to deal with. Cash is believed to be in shortage in the Anfield coffers, with Benitez maybe being forced to raise his own funds by offloading some of his fringe members.

The likes of Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Sebastien Leto, and Philipp Degen could all be offloaded to try and boost Benitez's transfer kitty.

If money can be raised then a move for long-term target Silva could be made as Benitez looks to bring in the winger to provide the ammunition for Torres and co.

Middlesbrough forward Tuncay Sanli has been mooted as a possible target with the Turkish ace providing a cheaper option to his other striking targets.

Benitez's targets could change depending on the futures of Alonso and Mascherano. Should either pair move on Benitez could have substantial funds given to him to bring in a replacement.

Athletic Bilbao starlet Javi Martinez could be an ideal replacement for Alonso if Real Madrid get their way and tempt Liverpool into selling the midfielder.

A new defender may be drafted in as a replacement for Sami Hyypia, but with Daniel Agger agreeing a new contract this is not a major priority.