Benitez’s Spanish splurges sidelined

RAFAEL BENITEZ has completed his £20m Spanish shopping spree and is now intent on justifying his four new acquisitions to Liverpool fans.

Unfortunately, three of his big-money signings will be sitting in the stand at Anfield when Benitez takes charge of his first home game - against Kevin Keegan’s Manchester City in the Premiership today.

Antonio Nunez sustained a knee injury hours after being unveiled in midweek as the makeweight in the £8m deal which took Michael Owen to Real Madrid. Also watching will be £10.7m midfielder Xabi Alonso and £6m utility striker Luis Garcia. Both have completed their medicals but were not signed in time to face City - and will not be able to play against Graz next Tuesday either as they have not been registered yet for the Champions League.

Only full-back Josemi will be making his home debut along with French forward Djibril Cisse.

Benitez insists nonetheless that when the fans see his new Spanish signings they will understand his faith in them.

“Of the four players, three speak good English,” he assured Reds fans.

“Around the world there are teams with all sorts of nationalities, and as long as they are good professionals, then everything is fine. When I sign Spanish players, I know all about them. For me it is important they are successful for my own prestige.”

“In my mind bringing more new people in now is not an objective, unless we find what we call in Spain ‘good, nice and cheap’. I am happy with the squad at the moment.

“Garcia is four players in one - when the fans see him, I hope they will understand and see why he is wanted by me. We have more possibilities in attack with him. He is skilful, has talent and is clever.

“I am looking forward so much to being at Anfield as Liverpool manager. I know, if we do the right things, the supporters will be happy. It is important for us to do that in our own stadium, because winning at home is crucial.”

Nunez’s injury has forced Benitez into a rethink already.

“The injury is very bad luck. No-one was near him; he was reaching for the ball, and the leg just went. But it is better than we first thought. He could have been out four months, but now it is three to four weeks.”

Benitez knows the value of a good start at home tomorrow.

“When I came here as Valencia manager, I thought the atmosphere was fantastic. Now it is important for me to be here as manager in my own stadium with my own supporters.

“I hope my side plays well for them. But I know Manchester City have great players for counter-attacking. I watched England; I saw Shaun Wright-Phillips - and he was very good and scored a fine goal.

“But they also have Robbie Fowler, Nicolas Anelka and Antoine Sibierski in attack. They are very dangerous.”