Benitez confident of a title challenge

RAFAEL BENITEZ insists his new-look Liverpool will put in a serious challenge for the Barclays Premiership title as he broadens his hunt for a new centre-back.

The Spaniard has welcomed giant new striker Peter Crouch to the club’s Swiss training camp and expects to field the £7million signing in Saturday’s friendly with Olympiakos in Liechtenstein and Tuesday’s Champions League second qualifying round first leg away to Lithuanian’s Kaunas.

The Anfield chief - with six new signings - now believes he has a squad capable of competing for the title.