Trio Bid £60M For Nando

Rafa Benitez claims THREE Premier League clubs have made £60million bids for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

But the Kop boss has told Man United, Man City and Chelsea that his Spanish superstar is NOT for sale.

Benitez said: “We had very good offers for some of our key players and we said ‘no’. Very, very big offers.

“This summer people have asked about Torres.

“We always wanted to keep Fernando but we heard rumours and agents were telling us things.

“We said ‘no’. The main thing was that the player wanted to stay.

“People know the player wants to stay here but sometimes the people will try.

“We’re trying to become stronger at Liverpool and build the squad to compete and challenge in the Premier League. That’s our idea.”

Real Madrid have also been linked with Torres but that deal will never get off the ground because of the bitter rivalry between the Spanish giants and the striker’s old club Atletico Madrid.

Benitez is still hoping that Javier Mascherano, 25, will finally commit himself to the club over the next week.

Rafa Wants Liverpool FC To Attack At Home Next Season

Rafael Benitez believes attack will be the best form of defence for Liverpool as they bid to turn Anfield into a fortress in the coming season.

Seven home draws were the main reason why the Reds were unable to wrestle the league title from Manchester United’s grasp in the last campaign and Benitez is now looking to create an increased spirit of adventure in his side this time around.

The Reds boss believes new signing Glen Johnson will prove pivotal to his new philosophy with his ability to raid forward from a full back position.

And he also reckons the ball carrying ability of Daniel Agger will help his team turn defence into attack, particularly in fixtures when Liverpool’s opponents are employing negative tactics.

“We want to improve our power in attack, this is our idea,” said Benitez.

“There have been games in the past we have played with three centre backs and two offensive full backs, it depends on the game.

“But normally we play with a line of four in defence because this suits the way we play on most occasions.

“We were talking last season about the draws we had at home and when teams play really deep against you, you need quality in the full back and central defensive positions.

“When we talk about Daniel Agger scoring goals and using the ball well it is because we know that these qualities are necessary if you want to turn the draws into wins.”

Liverpool’s preparations for the forthcoming season will step up tomorrow when the first team squad travels to Switzerland for training.

They will play their first pre-season friendly against St Gallen on Wednesday.

Meanwhile new boy Johnson’s versatility could be in for an early test.

With Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio out for a couple of months after knee surgery, Benitez temporarily lacks an experienced left-back.

But in only his second training session, right-back Johnson was tried out on the left.

He said: “There is a lot of versatility to my game, I can play in different positions.

“At the end of last season I was even playing off the front two at Portsmouth as an attacker. That may have been a one-off, but I did enjoy it all the same.

“I can play on the right of midfield, and I feel comfortable there.

“In my younger days I was a striker and at West Ham I played a lot in central defence.”

Liverpool Sign Chris Mavinga From PSG

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of French defender Chris Mavinga from Paris Saint Germain.

Reports in France earlier this week claimed Liverpool had offered Mavinga a three-year deal at Anfield and the 18-year-old has now put pen-to-paper on the contract.

Arsenal were believed to be interested in signing the versatile defender, but Liverpool have won the race to bring Mavinga to England.

Mavinga follows in the footsteps of David Ngog in leaving Paris for Liverpool following the striker's switch last summer.

The young Frenchman is Liverpool's second signing of the summer following Glen Johnson's arrival from Portsmouth.

El Zhar Signs New Liverpool Deal

Liverpool forward Nabil El Zhar has signed a contract extension that is set to keep him at Anfield until 2012.

He joined the Reds from French side St Etienne in October 2006.

The 22-year-old Moroccan international made 19 appearances for the first team last season, helping the club finish second in the Premier League.

El Zhar follows Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger in committing his long-term future to the club.

El Zhar was born in France and played for Les Bleus at youth level before opting to play for Morocco, where his parents were raised.

He was recruited by Liverpool after impressing during the 2005 World Youth Championships where he helped Morocco reach the semi-final stage.

El Zhar's senior Liverpool debut came as substitute against Portsmouth in 2006, and his only goal to date came at Anfield in a 2-1 victory over Cardiff in the fourth round of the Carling Cup in 2007.

Wrexham Target Liverpool Keeper

Wrexham hope to secure the loan signing of 18-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.

Liverpool have agreed to the move that would see the Australian continuing to train at Anfield several days a week but playing in the Blue Square Premier.

Wrexham manager Dean Saunders hopes to conclude the deal next week.

Bouzanis arrived at Liverpool from the New South Wales Institute of Sport, although he was loaned to Sydney FC until his 17th birthday.

Bouzanis, regarded by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world, is eligible to play internationally for Australia and Greece.

New Lease Of Life For Liverpool FC Academy

When the youngsters at Liverpool’s Academy returned to pre-season training on Monday there was a familiar face waiting to greet them.

Rafa Benitez had taken time out from his hectic Melwood schedule to make the short trip to the Kirkby facility and the presence of the Reds boss had an instant effect on the teenagers who dream of one day graduating to his first team squad.

“It was fantastic to see the manager down here,” said recently appointed Academy director Frank McParland.

“You could see it in the lads faces – every single one of them was delighted to see him and they listened intently to every single word he had to say to them.

“But you could see it even more in the way they have trained since then because there has been a spring in their step and a real buzz about the place.”

Not that it is all down to the Benitez factor of course. There is also the small matter of a 24-carat club legend – Kenny Dalglish – whose return has excited anyone and everyone who has Liverpool’s best interests at heart.

“Kenny’s a special person,” said McParland. “So just to have him around the place makes a real difference.

“If you think of what he has achieved in the game as a player and a manager then it really does give you goosebumps.

“The experience he brings is something that we can all tap into. Not just the youngsters but also myself and the coaching staff here.

“Football is at the very core of Kenny’s being and the knowledge he has is going to be such an inspiration to all of us.

“I saw an interview with Kenny recently in which he said he was relishing working at the Academy, well I think I can safely speak for everyone here when I say that we are all relishing working with him.”

If Dalglish brings experience, then there are others who bring youth and it is this mix which McParland believes bodes well for the future of the Academy as it attempts to kick start the production line to Liverpool’s first team which has been faltering of late.

“I’m not here to talk about what happened in the past, all that matters now is what happens in the future and if what I have seen so far is anything to go by then the future for the Academy is undoubtedly bright,” said the 50-year-old.

“It is all about getting the right blend and this is exactly what we feel we are doing.

“Obviously there is Kenny who brings with him that wealth of experience.

“We have appointed Jose Segura as technical manager and he has wonderful coaching experience but with a bit more of a continental perspective, so straight away there is a blend there – it gives us the best of both worlds.

“If you look at the players who Jose worked with at Barcelona – the likes of Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and so on – then his track record of producing quality footballers is up there with any youth coach in the European game and we are delighted that he is now working with us.

“We have also brought Rodolfo Borrell in to work on the coaching side of things and he also comes with a fantastic reputation that he earned at Barcelona.

“Even in his first days at the Academy it is easy to see why he is so highly regarded.

“He is so naturally exuberant and so good at getting his message across and the young players are already really enjoying working with him.

“Along with hard work and dedication, enjoyment is one of the keys to producing good players.

“If the lads enjoy coming in on a daily basis then they are going to stand a much better chance of making it and Rodolfo is playing a big part in making sure that this is the case.

“I’ve got to say as well that one of the things that has pleased me most is that Jamie Carragher is continuing to come up here to work on his coaching.

“Can you imagine what it’s like for a 15-year-old or 16-year-old lad who dreams of making it as a Liverpool player to work with someone who has actually achieved their dream?

“Every time they see him they not only see what is possible if they work as hard as he did, but they also see a tremendous example of how to conduct yourself as a Liverpool player.

”Just by being here Carra is giving the lads a massive boost and by working with them then it just adds to the mix and supports what we are trying to achieve here.”

Jermaine Pennant Off To Spain To Become Latest Premier League Tax Exile

Jermaine Pennant has secured a "dream" move to Real Zaragoza after becoming the latest Premier League tax exile.

The former Liverpool winger, 26, has followed this summer's trend of snubbing England in favour of an amazing three-year contract in Spain.

Pennant will earn £45,000-a-week AFTER tax and be given a free villa and car as part of the package.

Spain's new rules mean tax is capped at 40 per cent and big earners can pay as little as 24 per cent tax if they exploit a loophole and acquire "foreign executive" status.

The tax rate is less than half of Britain's 50 per cent tax rate which has prompted Real Zaragoza to pick up Pennant's tax bill.

That allowed them to snatch Pennant ahead of AC Milan, Espanyol and Atletico Madrid, who were all keen to sign one of the most in-demand players in this summer's transfer market.

Any English club wanting to sign Pennant would have had to pay him £90,000-a-week to match the deal he is now getting at Real Zaragoza.

Pennant's decision to leave the Premier League is typical of the shift in power from the Premier League to La Liga this summer.

Top English clubs used to be able to attract Europe's top stars by being the biggest payers.

But now the increase in Britain's tax rate means that players can earn far more abroad and this summer has already seen the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in a stunning £80m move.

The wage bill may still be higher in the Premier League but the tax rules mean that players can take home much more in La Liga and Italy's Serie A. Arsenal playmaker Andrei Arshavin revealed his dismay at discovering his wages were lower than he thought because of the increase in tax.

It means that Arsenal may have struggled to sign Arshavin this summer if a top Spanish club were in the market for him.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has already warned the days of Premier League domination will "soon be over".

Wenger said recently: "The new taxation system, and the collapse of sterling, means the domination of the Premier League will go. That is for sure.

"It will be a financial problem for all the English clubs." Mega-rich Manchester City are bucking the trend with huge contracts on offer for the likes of Carlos Tevez, Samuel Eto'o and John Terry.

But their wealth means that they can afford to pay players such big money that even with 50 per cent tax they will still be rolling in it.

However, for players like Pennant and other top stars in Europe the trend is changing and they can get topclass football and earn big money by moving abroad.

Jermaine Pennant: I'm A Liverpool Fan And I'll Miss Club

Jermaine Pennant last night set his sights on reigning in Spain after revealed his sadness at leaving boyhood heroes Liverpool.

Pennant, 26, has joined Real Zaragoza on a three-year deal after becoming one of the most sought-after players in Spain when Real Madrid tried to sign him in January.

The ex-Arsenal star said: "Another dream has come true for me. First I played for Liverpool and now I'm playing in La Liga for a great club like Zaragoza. After a fee was agreed in January for me to go to Real Madrid, I think my profile in Spain was a lot higher.

"When that move didn't happen it got me thinking about playing in Spain because teams like to play attacking football and all play with wingers.

"The last few weeks have been really difficult. I had to weigh up all the offers and decide where I wanted to play my football.

"Deep down I wanted to test myself in Spain and I'm so happy it's happened. It's sad leaving Liverpool because it's the club I supported as a kid but now I have a fantastic opportunity and I intend to take it.

"Players like David Villa played for Zaragoza and once you walk around the stadium you realise the fantastic history the club has.

"Maybe one day I will wear the red of Liverpool again but for now all I'm thinking about is repaying Zaragoza for the faith they have shown in me. I'm so excited about playing against Real Madrid and Barcelona."

Rafa Benitez: Liverpool Don't Need Franck Ribery

Rafa Benitez has dismissed suggestions Franck Ribery will join Liverpool by insisting he already has the talent in place to win the title.

Speculation was rife yesterday about a shock move for the French striker, after one bookmaker slashed the odds on Ribery leaving Bayern Munich for Merseyside.

But Reds boss Benitez rubbished the rumour and said: "I don't think we will be signing anyone else for big, big money - just maybe the ones who can fit into our team.

"I will be really pleased if we can keep this squad together because I don't think we need to do too many things to get us in position.

"Now we are just thinking of improving the fitness of the players, not thinking of the transfer market. We have the quality and will have chances again."

Benitez wants Valencia winger David Silva to bolster his squad, but only if he can snatch the Spanish winger for around £15m.

But the manager's main ambition is to keep his midfield together and has spent most of the summer fending off Real Madrid and Barcelona's attempts to snatch Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.

Benitez has given up hope of keeping full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, who will join Madrid next week for a fee of around £6m.

"We offered him an extension before, but if you have an idea and the agent has another one, you have to find solutions," he said.

Johnson A Flexible Friend

New boy Glen Johnson's versatility could be a major boost for Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as the season approaches.

And the Anfield chief has already tried out the England man at left-back, which is going to a problem position when the new season starts.

With Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio out for a couple of months after knee surgery, Benitez lacks an experienced left-back for the start of the new campaign.

He has youngsters Emiliano Insua, plus newly-signed teenager Chris Mavinga from Paris St Germain while erratic Italian international Andrea Dossena is an option.

But in only his second training session, right-back Johnson was tried out on the left.

He says: "There is a lot of versatility to my game, I can play in different positions.

"At the end of last season I was even playing off the front two at Portsmouth as an attacker. That may have been a one-off, but I did enjoy it all the same.

"I can play on the right of midfield, and I feel comfortable there. In my younger days I was a striker and at West Ham I played a lot in central defence for the youth sides.

"But it is not easy for a 17-year-old to play centre-back in the Premier League, so I was put in at right-back there.

"Rafa has spoken to me about my versatility, even in my first day of training with the squad he tried me at left-back.

"It is good for a squad that you can play in more than one position, I don't really mind where."

Johnson will make his Liverpool debut next Wednesday in the club's first pre-season friendly against St Gallen in Switzerland, and nobody should be surprised to see him given a run-out at left back, such are Benitez's problems in that area.

But long term, Johnson seems certain to replace Arbeloa on the right of defence, with the Spanish international likely to be sold to Real Madrid.

Johnson says of his new Anfield career: "The lads here had a fantastic season last time out, finishing second, and I just want to do my best to help them improve even more.

"I know already that the players here are determined to improve on that and it will be fantastic to play alongside people like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

"People saw how I played last season, and I know I can do even better than that."

Johnson, 24, is just delighted to be back at a top-four club after his career at Chelsea nose-dived once Jose Mourinho took over.

The Greenwich-born player said: "I suppose I have come full circle. Back to a top-four club with the chance to play in the Champions League.

"It started well for me at Chelsea under Claudio (Ranieri), but when Mourinho came in and brought in his own players everything started to change. I wasn't getting games and I wanted to leave.

"I left Chelsea to do exactly what I have done, going to Portsmouth gave me the chance to play and improve. And aim now to keep that improvement going here.

"I wished I'd played more at Chelsea, but there is no point worrying about the past when I have a big future ahead of me.

"Liverpool were so close to winning the title last season, and I have already realised how desperate the lads here are to go that one more step now to win the title.

"Everybody at this club wants to improve, the fans want that and they want the league title. That is what the players here want to give them."

Liverpool fly out to their Swiss training camp on Sunday, with Javier Mascherano expected to join them on Tuesday. His wife, Fernanda, is due to give birth to the couple's second child this weekend.

Liverpool will be based in Bad Ragaz, and will travel from there to Vienna next weekend for the friendly against Rapid Vienna on July 19.

There they will be joined by the club's Spanish contingent, and the squad will fly direct to the Far East for matches against Thailand on July 22 and Singapore on July 26.

The party will then return to Liverpool after the match, and have three days off before returning to training ahead of the away friendly in Barcelona against Espanyol on August 2.

Being away from the UK for more than two weeks will mean that the futures of Mascherano and Xabi Alonso will be sorted out while Liverpool are on their travels.

Liverpool Eye Lee Cattermole To Replace Xabi Alonso Or Javier Mascherano

Liverpool are reportedly considering a surprise offer for Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole if they end up selling either Xabi Alonso or Javier Mascherano this summer.

The Independent reports that the Reds are covering all bases in case one of their midfield linchpins decides to leave and they are setting their sights on Cattermole, who impressed for England’s Under-21 side in the recent European finals in Sweden.

Real Madrid have still not given up on signing Alonso, while European champions Barcelona are still said to be targeting a swoop for Argentina captain Mascherano.

Club boss Rafael Benitez recently insisted the two players are not for sale and are happy at the Anfield club, although the fact he is lining up potential replacements could mean he is yet to rule out a departure for one of the pair.

Cattermole will not be an easy target to land. Sunderland have already had a £7 million offer rejected for the former Middlesbrough player, while new Wigan manager Roberto Martinez had made it clear that the player is in his future plans.

Speaking earlier in the week, he said, "Lee is not for sale. End of story.

“He is a fantastic player, a leader on and off the field, and is central to our plans going forwards. We are not interested in selling him, which was why this offer [from Sunderland] was rejected immediately.

"It is not usually our style to discuss incoming or outgoing transfers until they are completed, but we have made an exception in this case because I feel so strongly about keeping Lee, along with all my best players. He is one of many talented players. Let's forget about this now and move on."

Liverpool, last season’s Premier League runners-up, did unveil one new signing this week, England defender Glen Johnson, who joined from Portsmouth for a reported fee of £17m.

Reds Target Cambiasso

Skysports.com understands Liverpool are lining up a move for Inter Milan's Esteban Cambiasso in case they lose either Xabi Alonso or Javier Mascherano.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is fighting to keep hold of midfield duo Alonso and Mascherano with the pair being strongly linked with moves to Spain.

Big-spending Real Madrid have openly declared their interest in Alonso, while Barcelona have refused to rule out a bid for Mascherano.

Benitez insists the pair will not be leaving Merseyside, but he is thought to be drawing up possible replacements in case he loses one or both of them with Cambiasso thought to be at the top of his wanted list.

Cambiasso has established himself as a key player for Inter since his arrival from Real Madrid in 2004 and Jose Mourinho would be loath to lose him.

Benitez is thought to be a big admirer of Cambiasso and could step up his interest if he loses either of his two midfield stars before the close of the transfer window.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard And Jamie Carragher Join Rafa Benitez On Stage In Theatre

Liverpool's football heroes are used to nights of great drama - but not in the theatre.

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher took to the stage with assistant manager Sammy Lee at the opening night of a play about the club's greatest game. One Night in Istanbul follows a group of Liverpool fans trying to watch the incredible 2005's Champions League final win in a seedy Turkish hotel.

But there was a surprise plot twist when manager Rafa Benitez walked on with the European Cup followed by the other three Kop stars.

Captain Steve Gerrard said: "It brought back so many memories. But I don't think I'll take up acting."

The Reds heroes also had an important message for the crowd and wore armbands saying "justice" in support of Michael Shields, 22 - who was jailed for attempted murder after the Istanbul game.

Many people believe he is innocent and playwright Nicky Allt thought it was important he was not forgotten. He added: "We didn't want to mess the first night up so just went with armbands."

More Kop stars are due at the 11 remaining shows at the Liverpool Empire. Meanwhile, Shields' plight is to be debated by MPs after Justice Secretary Jack Straw last week refused him a pardon.

Liverpool's Ngog In Owls Link

Liverpool forward David Ngog is the latest name to be linked with a loan move to Hillsborough as the new Championship season approaches.

Owls boss Brian Laws is still on the lookout for a new striker to bolster his attacking options for the 2009-10 campaign, and has revealed that he's looking for a Premier League forward on loan.

And Ngog would fit the bill, with Reds boss Rafa Benitez willing to let the youngster go out on loan to gain some valuable first team experience.

Wednesday's Championship rivals Ipswich Town are also said to be interested in the player's services.

Laws has already been linked with West Ham's Freddie Sears, who's since moved on loan to Crystal Palace, while Everton hitman Victor Anichebe has also been linked with a switch to S6.

Xabi Alonso Yes, Cesc Fabregas No - Real Madrid Sporting Director

Real Madrid are set to pursue their interest in Xabi Alonso while trying to lower the asking price, but they have reiterated that Cesc Fabregas is not on their agenda.

Madrid's new sporting director, Miguel Pardeza is still keen to see a new midfielder added to the ranks to play alongside Lassana Diarra and outlined how things were progressing.

Alonso has been a target for Madrid throughout the summer, but Liverpool have not reacted well to the interest and manager Rafa Benitez has attempted to put them off although it does not appear to have worked.

"Madrid must not discard an option until it's totally gone," Pardeza is quoted as saying by Reuters.

"There is an insurmountable financial barrier at the moment, but it's something that could change.

"We're looking at other options, although there aren't many."

Madrid's director general Jorge Valdano explained earlier this week that Fabregas is too similar to Kaka in his style for Madrid to need him and Pardeza reiterated that the Arsenal star is not being looked at.

"He is a great player, there's no doubt about that, but at this moment he is not a target for Real Madrid," he continued.

"The club is working on other alternatives."

Real Madrid Hierarchy Calls For Patience Over Anfield Raid

Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations Emilion Butragueno, has suggested the club have not given up their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, but called for patience amid reports the Premier League side are digging their heals in over the 27-year-old’s valuation.

Butragueno told Sky Sports: “There are many weeks remaining,”

“We must show patience. There is time.”

Alonso is reportedly keen to leave the club, and yesterday Spanish based journalist Guillem Balague intimated the player and his manager Rafa Benitez had fallen out, suggesting their relationship had reached “breaking point”.

Odds Slashed On Franck Ribery Joining Liverpool

The odds on Franck Ribery leaving Bayern Munich for Liverpool tumbled yesterday, plummeting from 66-1 to 8-13 on.

Bookmakers Skybet last week slashed their odds ahead of Michael Owen's shock move to Manchester United and are taking no chances this time around, even though the money is only coming from a small group of punters.

Skybet's Dale Tempest told sports betting website oddspreview.com: "Every price we have put up has been taken on Ribery moving to Liverpool, which has left us stumped as in recent weeks he has been liked with every other club but the Reds!

"After seeing money for him to join Man United and Real Madrid at the same time that Bayern Munich say he’s going nowhere, we’ve now seen a flood of bets on him to join Liverpool.

"8/13 may seem a very short price but after the losses we made last week on Michael Owen, who was gambled down from 20/1 to move to Manchester United, we are taking no chances."

Rafa Wants Loyalty From Duo

Rafa Benitez believes Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano owe it to Liverpool to stay at the club.

Midfield duo Alonso and Mascherano have both been strongly linked with moves away from Anfield to Spain this summer.

Real Madrid have openly declared their interest in Spanish ace Alonso, while Barcelona are keeping tabs on Mascherano.

Benitez is confident the key duo will remain on Merseyside and he has revealed he would like the pair to show some loyalty to Liverpool.

"I do not think Alonso or Mascherano will go. It is clear that they both are under contract with long-term agreements. That is it," insisted Benitez.

"There has been a lot of things written, a lot of rumours, but both players are under contract and we have no more need to talk about things.

"They are both very good players and I will be very pleased to keep them. They both have very good contracts.

"We signed them both from different situations. Alonso was coming from Real Sociedad and nobody had really heard much of him outside of Spain, he did well and we renewed his contract because of that.

"Mascherano came from West Ham where he had not been doing well. We brought him here and gave him a good contract, so we are very pleased with them both and that Liverpool has been very good to them."

Pennant Completes Zaragoza Switch

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has joined newly promoted Primera Liga outfit Real Zaragoza.

Speculation about the future of the once highly regarded England youth International reached fever pitch in the January transfer window, with a number of high-profile Spanish clubs rumoured to be interested in securing his signature ahead of his release by the Anfield club.

However, following a largely anonymous loan spell on the south coast with Portsmouth, the 26-year-old has opted for Zaragoza and joins on a three-year deal.

"I wanted to come to Spain and I had offers from important teams in Europe but joined Real Zaragoza," explained Pennant.

"I really want to get started and do well in the league."

The move to Spain brings to an end a troubled career in English football, which saw the once record-breaking youngster gain notoriety for playing for Birmingham City while wearing an electronic tag following a drink-driving conviction.

'Crazy' Transfers Concern Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has revealed his club are struggling to compete in an over-heated summer transfer market.

The Reds paid £17m for Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson, but saw long-term target Gareth Barry opt for Manchester City rather than Anfield.

The Spaniard is also preparing to fend off enquiries for midfield pair Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.

"The market is now crazy. It is all money, money, money now," he said.

"We had to pay big money. But we were signing a good player, an England player (Johnson), and that is very positive."

Johnson was reportedly tracked by Chelsea and Manchester City, two clubs whose owners have contributed to spiralling transfer fees for top players.

Since he bought the club in 2003, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has supplemented Chelsea's transfer funds with large loans, while City were taken over by the ambitious and wealthy Abu Dhabi United Group in September.

Barry, 28, who came close to joining Liverpool last summer, became the latest big-money arrival at Eastlands as he followed Roque Santa Cruz, Jo, Robinho and Craig Bellamy in an £12m move at the start of June.

"City have signed a lot of good players, but that is no guarantee they will win anything. But it will be interesting to see what happens next season," said Benitez.

The summer's most spectacular spending has taken place at Spanish side Real Madrid, where Benitez spent his early years as a coach.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol have been recruited at a combined cost of about £183m, but the Reds boss warned that building a team through the chequebook is no guarantee of success.

"Things have changed. You have to adapt to a situation. Manchester City and big clubs in Europe are spending big money, so the market has changed and we have to work harder," he added.

"If you spend big it is always easier to perform well but when you have a good understanding between players, that is also important. If they are together, they work hard, that is just as important."