Benitez not afraid to spend big money

RAFA Benitez has said Robbie Keane's torment at Liverpool will not deter any proven striker from wanting to complement Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard when he delves back into the transfer market this summer. (Guardian)

Liverpool accepted a potential loss of �3.5m on Keane in February when he was sold back to Tottenham Hotspur just six months after fulfilling his boyhood dream to join the Anfield club, having made 28 appearances for Ben�tez's title-chasing team.

Keane was substituted 18 times during his ill-fated Anfield stay, a statistic that prompted the Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, to criticise Ben�tez's treatment of the Republic of Ireland captain, although it was the striker's failure to adapt to Liverpool's tactics that prompted the Spaniard to cut his losses so swiftly.

Ben�tez will look again this summer to build around his preferred attack of Torres and Gerrard, with Valencia's David Silva an identified but currently overpriced option for a manager also intent on concluding his lengthy pursuit of Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.

But the Spaniard is adamant his established partnership, plus Keane's failure to succeed alongside Gerrard and Torres or in place of them, will not hinder his search for proven additions.

“Everyone knows how good Torres and Gerrard are and they do play very well together,” said Ben�tez, who believes injury to his leading stars has cost Liverpool a lead over Manchester United in this season's title race.

“But we have 60 games or so a season. That means there are going to be plenty of chances for everyone, so I don't think it would be a problem.

“Obviously it depends on the quality of the players, but I don't think it is going to be a problem. I think we will manage. We have been working hard identifying players, it is just a question of signing the right ones, and I am confident we will.”