Benitez has high hopes for strengthened Reds

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 into the ranks at the club’s Swiss training camp and expects to field the £7m (€10.1m) signing in Saturday’s friendly with Olympiacos in Liechtenstein and next Tuesday’s Champions League second qualifying round first leg away to Lithuanian champions Kaunas.