Liverpool continue summer spree with Babel, Benayoun signings

Jul 13, 2007, 14:57 GMT

London - Liverpool took their summer spending spree to close to 40 million pounds (80 million dollars) on Friday when the English top club signed Netherlands forward Ryan Babel from Ajax for 11.5 million pounds.

The 20-year-old, who can play in attack or on the wing, signed a five-year contract and is Liverpool's fourth major signing of the summer as they bid for a first top-flight league title since 1990.

Babel was unveiled at a press conference on Friday along with Yossi Benayoun, who signed a four-year deal in a move reported to be worth 4 million pounds.

'Both Babel and Benayoun have lots of quality,' Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said. 'They are good creative players, the kind of which our supporters will like.

'I've admired both players for a long time and what was also really important to me was the fact that they both wanted to come here so much. They've a strong desire to improve and win trophies.'

Babel, who had been linked with a move to Arsenal, explained his choice.

'I listened to them and I got a great feeling about the club,' he said. 'I have made my choice with my heart and the coach has big plans for me.

'I met Rafael Benitez and my conversation with him was the moment I knew the deal would get done.

'He is like the ideal father-in-law. He has a lot of football know-how and he told me that I would be challenging with six other players for four positions. I have a good feeling about things.'

The pair join big-money signing Fernando Torres of Spain and Ukraine forward Andriy Voronin in arriving at Anfield this summer as the new American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have begun to flex their considerable financial muscle.