Football: Benitez: We want to attack this season; Manager promising expansive style after signings.

Byline: BY IAN DOYLE Chief Football Correspondent

RAFAEL BENITEZ has vowed to send Liverpool on the offensive this season after completing the latest stage of his squad overhaul.

Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun were both unveiled at Anfield yesterday as the manager sent his summer spending through the pounds 40million mark.

Forward Babel put pen to paper on a five-year contract after agreeing an pounds 11.5m move from Ajax with attacking midfielder Benayoun having already made a pounds 5m move from West Ham United.

With record signing Fernando Torres and Ukrainian striker Andriy Voronin also arriving at Anfield, Benitez will have a host of new attacking options at his disposal for the forthcoming campaign.

Despite boasting one of the top flight's meanest defences, Liverpool have struggled to score in comparison to their main Premier League rivals in recent seasons, having failed to break the 60-goal barrier in any of the three league campaigns under Benitez.

But Benitez believes he now has the resources and firepower to ensure his team are nearer his intended vision.

"The squad is better and the value of the squad is bigger," said the Liverpool manager. "It is clear that we have quality players coming in and normally that should mean that we will play better.

"When a manager makes a mistake, a good player can correct it. Hopefully, that will be the case.

"The best teams are proactive rather than reactive. We have been quick in the market and hopefully now we can be quick on the pitch.

"I hope we can play more like the way I want us to. Defensively the team has been good and we want to attack. We had more crosses and shots than anyone, but we needed to improve our accuracy. Hopefully, with these players the crossing will be better and also the finishing."

Benitez added: "In Valencia, we had three of four players who could all scored between 10 and 15 goals and that is the idea here.

"If you have one player who can score 20 goals then that is good, but what if he has an injury?

Also if the other teams know he is the only player who can score goals, it will be easier for them to control your team in attack."

Benitez had previously made clear his desire to bolster his attacking options on either flank, but a lack of available dedicated wingers led the Liverpool manager top pursue more versatile alternatives in Babel and Benayoun.

"If you analyse the market, there are not too many wingers," said the Spaniard. "You decide either to sign a winger who might not be good enough or someone who can play in that position.

"Babel was playing in Ajax as a left winger and Benayoun was playing as a right winger, both players know they can play there, and as second strikers.

"For a manager as well if you have to change your plan in a match then players like these are important because they can change positions too."

Babel, Benayoun and Torres will not be considered for today's friendly at Crewe Alexandra, although Andriy Voronin and the remainder of Liverpool's international contingent are expected to be handed at least a 45-minute runout.

M eanwhile, Fabio Aurelio remains a month away from resuming training as he recovers from his Achilles tendon injury.

Interviews with both Benayoun and Babel PAGES 30-31

CAPTION(S):

Rafael Benitez welcomes Ryan Babel (left), and Yossi Benayoun to Anfield yesterday Picture: MARTIN RICKETT/PA