Yossi Benayoun signs

[ufc43]

Benny

I cant wait for a lot of posters on this site look knobheads when this fella plays. Hes a ****in excellent player.

I couldnt agree more. A class player. Im as impressed we signed him as I am Torres.

[red g]

I couldnt agree more. A class player. Im as impressed we signed him as I am Torres.

while i think he has a good player and will be a valuable addition, not quite torres though!!

[RedReet]

Think Yossi will be a great signing for us but does anyone know why Racing let him go so cheap? Did they get relegated that year or did he have a release clause or anything?

[Taffy]

I think Benayoun will be a great little signing.

He'll add a creative edge to our play and I predict he'll be a big hit with the fans too! Scores some goals too, and will be a great supplier of assists.

£4m is a good price for him too!

[tomasjj]

Sorry, creative he may be, but he does score as much as Alonso per season.

[carheex]

Benayoun.....

..what position can he/does he play? I thought he was an attacking central midfielder but I don't see rafa dropping a defensive midfielder to accomodate him.

[kop-al-74]

Israels best footballer:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DdKFrAFXq-M

Although i'm not overly excited about this signing,i think Yossi can add something especially now Garcia has left.

Garcia's ability to come up with some magic, especially in big games will be hard to replace.

But Yossi's experience in the premiership and the fact that he appears to be alot stronger on the ball with a little more pace it's proberbly a like for like replacement.

If we do sign Babel and Yossi,which looks quite likely,and didn't go for and out and out right winger,would i be satisfied?

I really don't know.That will only leave us with Pennant in that position.

Although i think Pennant has improved a great deal,imo,it's not enough on the right hand side.

Would £15m bring in a really top class winger? Should do.

Can we spend another £15m,if it meant challenging or being also rans? I hope so.

Thats the way i see it.For the last few years now,i have really thought that the lack of a quality,tricky,pacey right winger as one of our major weakness's.

Is Queresma that signing? could be.

Lets hope we find out.

[redwien]

4 million is a drop in the ocean, good bit of business!

[Rashid]

Rafa has wanted him for a few years and obviously likes his hard running and good brain. He is a mid table player but can probably do a job when we have injuries or tired legs. Other than that it's a pointless signing IMO, I'd have preferred to give a younger player like Hammill a chance, or put the money towards someone else. However, if we still have money left to buy a top winger like Quaresma / Mancini I won't be complaining.

[paulcooper4]

Rafa has wanted him for a few years and obviously likes his hard running and good brain. He is a mid table player but can probably do a job when we have injuries or tired legs. Other than that it's a pointless signing IMO, I'd have preferred to give a younger player like Hammill a chance, or put the money towards someone else. However, if we still have money left to buy a top winger like Quaresma / Mancini I won't be complaining.

I like adam hamill, when he learns the right time to release the ball I think this lad maight have a chance of making summat of himself. But to suggest at this stage of his career he is a better option than yossi benayoun tells me that you are a helmet and know very little about association football.

[Pacman]

I like adam hamill, when he learns the right time to release the ball I think this lad maight have a chance of making summat of himself. But to suggest at this stage of his career he is a better option than yossi benayoun tells me that you are a helmet and know very little about association football.

[Woobus]

Maybe Rafa thinks the kids arent ready for the next big step of playing in the Premiership, and would prefer to go for someone with leadership skills who is already used to the pressures and speed of the Premiership?

[kop-al-74]

I like adam hamill, when he learns the right time to release the ball I think this lad maight have a chance of making summat of himself. But to suggest at this stage of his career he is a better option than yossi benayoun tells me that you are a helmet and know very little about association football.

Flmao!


Sorry Rash,it's just the way he says it.

[red g]

Rafa has wanted him for a few years and obviously likes his hard running and good brain. He is a mid table player but can probably do a job when we have injuries or tired legs. Other than that it's a pointless signing IMO, I'd have preferred to give a younger player like Hammill a chance, or put the money towards someone else. However, if we still have money left to buy a top winger like Quaresma / Mancini I won't be complaining.

hammill needs to go on loan imo and get a full seeason at a championship or lower premiership club. it bulds up our squad its a long season and the yoss will be a great addition.

[Jayesh87]

Dutch star Ryan Babel on way as Yossi Benayoun completes Liverpool switch

Jul 11 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RYAN Babel headed to Liverpool today to complete his move from Ajax as Yossi Benayoun became the latest addition to Rafa Benitez’s squad.

On another highly successful day of negotiating for chief executive Rick Parry, the Reds agreed deals with West Ham and were given permission by Ajax to discuss terms with Babel.

The 20-year-old Dutch forward will meet Anfield officials and prepare to undergo a medical at Melwood while Liverpool look to close the deal.

Benayoun also concludes the formalities of his switch from Upton Park today. The fee for Benayoun is reported as £5m, but officially both clubs have agreed to keep the figure undisclosed.

Chief executive Parry said today: “We’ve agreed the fee with West Ham for Yossi Benayoun. We’re not quite there with Ryan Babel yet, but we’ve now been given permission by Ajax to talk to the player. We hope to reach an agreement with Ajax very shortly.”

The Reds are expecting to pay around £10m for the youngster.

Benitez was in buoyant mood as another crucial part of his summer rebuilding plans neared conclusion.

The Spanish boss believes Benayoun can fill the gap in the squad vacated by the recently departed Luis Garcia.

“They are similar,” agreed Benitez.

“Maybe Luis is a player who scores more goals and Benayoun tends to make more assists. Like Luis, he is a very technical, clever player with a lot of game intelligence. He can also play in many positions, giving us a different option for the team.

“I first saw him play for Racing Santander in La Liga when he was a really good player, but when he first came to England we were watching to be sure he could adapt to a different style of football.

“It’s clear he’s done this very well at West Ham. Liverpool fans will remember how he played in the FA Cup Final against us when he was outstanding. We thought then this was a player who is capable of stepping up to a higher level.”

As with recent signing Fernando Torres, Benitez says Benayoun’s determination to move to Anfield was a key factor in the Reds sustaining their interest.

“He was offered a big new contract at West Ham and received offers from a lot of other clubs offering him more money,” explained Benitez.

“But Yossi’s message was always the same. He said he was desperate to only join Liverpool because this was his dream. When Rick, the Americans and I spoke about the player, we all agreed this is the kind of attitude we and our supporters really like.

“When you have quality players with his ability showing so much passion to play for your club, it’s really good for the team.”

Benitez will be hoping all three of his most recent recruits could be involved in their first training session today.

However, Torres is still nursing a slight injury so his introduction may be delayed.

“Fernando has returned to Liverpool now and we hope he can join training, but we must check his ankle,” explained Benitez. “It’s not a serious injury but we will be careful.”