Yossi Benayoun signs

[StevieG08]

The squad is looking pretty strong now, bring in Babel and perhaps have a look at adding something at left back and i think we could challenge for the league.

[JohnDoe]

For the right price I wouldn't mind us signing another versatile defender, though Rafa might promote someone from the reserves, so it isn't critical.

[MrMichael]

Just "breaking news" on SSN now too.

[marcus50bucks]

Liverpool close to Benayoun deal

Benayoun has been at West Ham for two seasons
Midfielder Yossi Benayoun is set to seal a summer switch to Liverpool, BBC Sport understands.
The West Ham playmaker and Israel international has long been linked with a move to Anfield and a £4m transfer will be finalised on Wednesday.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez has made no secret of his admiration for the 25-year-old who he has been tracking since the end of the season.

"It's clear he'd like to come and he's a player I like," said the Spaniard.

Benayoun, Israel's national captain, moved to Upton Park from Racing Santander in a £2.5m deal in 2005.

He has played 72 games for the Hammers and scored eight goals.

The clubs have already done business this summer with striker Craig Bellamy moving to the capital from Merseyside in a £7.5m deal.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6289760.stm

[BobTheCharmer]

To be fair, I dont think we have that many squad players, do we ?

Voronon, Benayoun, Kewell, Sissoko, Arbeloa, Hyppia....any more ?

Everyone else will surely be a first team regular.

Seems fair enough to me.

Pennant, Crouch, auerilo, lucas for starters. In fact barring Reina, Carra, Agger, Finnan, Torres, Gerrard & Masher, they'll all be classed squad players. The others will have to reside themselves to around 20 games a year.

[Marky]

To be fair, I dont think we have that many squad players, do we ?

Voronon, Benayoun, Kewell, Sissoko, Arbeloa, Hyppia....any more ?

Everyone else will surely be a first team regular.

Seems fair enough to me.

Pennant, Crouch(unfortunately)

[anfieldanfield]

Pennant, Crouch, auerilo, lucas for starters. In fact barring Reina, Carra, Agger, Finnan, Torres, Gerrard & Masher, they'll all be classed squad players. The others will have to reside themselves to around 20 games a year.

Crouch and Pennant will still be first team regulars.

I can see them both playing at least 30-40 games next season.

I quite fancy Crouch to see off Kuyt as El Nino's regular partner.

[ARIMAN]

On KUMB there doing one, since we got Jossi for £4 million and Koumas went to WBA for £5.3

Even Reo-Coker was sold for £8 million

[Finnish_Red]

Good business

[molonyg]

Fee agreed for Benayoun announced on SSN

Just announced deal to be done tomorrow for apperently 4m

[Marky]

Crouch and Pennant will still be first team regulars.

I can see them both playing at least 30-40 games next season.

I quite fancy Crouch to see off Kuyt as El Nino's regular partner.

I've said all along i would like to see Crouch and Torres up top next season but the general consensus is it's Kuyt to partner 'El Nino' .

[Ben_Itez]

I think another center back would be a luxury mate.

Agger and Carra are obviously first choice, with Sami and Arbeloa more than adequate back up.

Forgot about Arbeloa as a centre half tbh but the juries still out on him there surely as he hasnt played there for us yet, at least not in a major game. And as much as i love Sami i have to say i think he's past it....his legs seem to have gone and against decent attackers (Manure for example) he'd get roasted. Think we could get by without another but an Arbeloa type signing, cheap but solid, might be useful. Maybe one of the youngsters could come in but I'd be more than a little concerned if Carra and Agger picked up long termish injuries.

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Rashid breaks out the Rubicon Mango Juice.

[marcus50bucks]

Maybe one extra top quality attacking midfielder/winger next summer to complete the jigsaw.

Hopefully this summer.

[ARIMAN]

Pennant, Crouch, auerilo, lucas for starters. In fact barring Reina, Carra, Agger, Finnan, Torres, Gerrard & Masher, they'll all be classed squad players. The others will have to reside themselves to around 20 games a year.

LB is an issue. I think its significant that the Riise has not had an extension, and that we are now sniffing around Heinze, while previously Cheilli and Baines

Back to Yossi - just get the feeling this is Pennant last year situation, ie we may have been in for a more expensive winger (eg Simao,Alves and Quaresema), but the minute that it didnt look likely (like last year with Alves and Pennant), we pulled the plug and went for this deal