Rafa hits £37m after Babel and Benayoun join up

Alarmed at the way his side trailed in a distant third last season and how champions Manchester United have set the pace in this summer's transfer dealings, the Anfield boss reacted by adding £12m Ryan Babel and £5m Yossi Benayoun to last week's £20m record capture of Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres.

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Ajax's Holland Under 21 forward Babel flew to England for a medical and pay talks after the clubs agreed a fee, while Benayoun headed north last night ahead of a press conference to confirm his arrival from West Ham.

Negotiations over Babel's contract should be quick after the 20-year-old admitted he was eager to prove himself.

He said: "I've spoken to Rafa Benitez and that was when I knew everything would be signed. He has a clear vision of what he wants and said I'd be competing with six others for four positions in the forward line."

Benayoun made it equally clear he wanted to be part of Benitez's plan to end a barren spell in the league that dates back to 1990.

The Israel midfielder accepted a four-year deal that will reward him with around £45,000 a week but still leave him £2m worse off than if he had responded to overtures from Manchester City.

After hearing the 27-year-old had stalled over a new contract at Upton Park last month, City told his advisers they would top West Ham's £50,000-a-week weekly wage by at least £5,000.

Benayoun rejected it without even speaking to City and told West Ham he intended holding out for a move to Anfield. His defiance finally paid off when they relented over their £6m asking price and sanctioned a £5m deal.

Benitez may flex his financial muscle again after earmarking United's £6m-rated Gabriel Heinze for his problem left-back position, although Real Madrid are also keen on the Argentina defender.

Whatever the outcome over Heinze, Benitez is content that American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have heeded his call for substantial transfer backing and delivered a clear statement of intent about taking Liverpool back to the top.

"They were unequivocal about backing the manager and here is the proof," said chief executive Rick Parry.