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.