[Mighty T.A.L.]

Hicks hails Rafa revolution

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks believes manager Rafael Benitez deserves credit for the way he is overhauling his squad.

Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel are set to arrive at Anfield and bolster the club's midfield.

With strikers Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin already on board, there is growing optimism at the club ahead of the new campaign.

But they are refusing to get carried away as champions Manchester United have invested even more heavily in the transfer market.

'United are always going to be a top side and we just have to compete as best we can,' Hicks said.

'Rafa has done a great job.

'We talked to him about a plan and it has gone pretty much how we agreed it would go.

'The first was to get existing core players on our team to sign extensions - it was critical to get those guys locked up.

'Then we started with process of getting new players in. I wouldn't rule Rafa out for one more [transfer]. I know the team is going to be a better team.

'Part of the plan Rafa explained was that we needed to have more depth as it is a long season, particularly in the Premier League.

'He explained to George [Gillett] and me that we were able to compete better in the Champions League because of the format than we were in the nine to 10 months of the Premier League.

'We tried to add to that depth and I think we have.'

Israel midfielder Benayoun is set to secure a deal at Anfield after a fee, believed to be £5million, was agreed with West Ham.

He looks set to to be joined by £10million-rated Ryan Babel in a remarkable double swoop after Ajax gave Liverpool permission to talk to the player.

Benayoun moved to England from Spanish side Racing Santander for £2.5million in 2005 and scored eight goals in 72 games for the club.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: '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.'

Source: metro.co.uk