No fear for Fernando

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists he will have no qualms about handing a debut to Fernando Morientes on Saturday against Manchester United.

Morientes is due to be unveiled tomorrow, according to his agent, providing he passes a medical.

The €9m striker from Real Madrid will then be ready to face Alex Ferguson’s side after signing a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Benitez is thrilled to have finally secured the services of the Spanish international.

“He is important to us,” Benitez told the Liverpool Echo. “He is good in the air, he is a good finisher and can shoot with both feet.

“He also has the mentality to go straight into a game like Saturday’s if necessary.”

Morientes’ agent Gines Carvajal told PA International that his client was on Merseyside and close to sealing a deal with Liverpool.

He said: “Morientes is undergoing his medical. The player will be presented tomorrow at around 1pm and he will sign a three-and-a-half-year contract.”

Striker Milan Baros believes Morientes has similar attributes to his Czech Republic team-mate Jan Koller.

“The deal is great news,” Baros told www.liverpoolfc.tv. “Fernando is world class and I’m delighted he is coming to Anfield.

“I’m looking forward to establishing our partnership on the pitch. Fernando is terrific in the air, just like Jan Koller.

“Jan and I have been superb for the Czechs and I believe Fernando and I can prove just as successful in English football.

“He is so strong and so talented that I’m certain he will help us climb towards the very top of the Premiership.

“Obviously, the timing of the deal is very important too. Djibril Cisse is out with a long-term injury and I’ve had my difficulties with injuries recently as well.”

Morientes said : “I want to play and I had several offers, but I think the best for me and my family was Liverpool’s.

“I am happy for that reason, but sad because it has been eight years here at Madrid and I will never forget them. This is a new stage in my life and I am excited about it.

“I am grateful the club (Madrid) have accepted my wishes to go to Liverpool rather than other better offers they could have had. All I can say is thanks to all the clubs who were interested.

“One of them was Lyon, but when their offer came in I had given my word to Liverpool. The Lyon offer came later and I had made my decision. I wanted to go to England.”