Liverpool: Will They Mount a Serious Challenge This Season?

With the signing of Robbie Keane for 20 million pounds, Liverpool is declaring their title ambitions via their pockets. It remains to be seen how effective Keane will be to the Liverpool line up.

But take nothing away from their ambitious boss, Rafael Benitez. After securing Fernando Torres last season, he immediately followed up with another top notch signing in the form of Keane this season.

If Keane can form such a deadly strike partnership with Dimitar Berbatov last season, I can't imagine how he could possibly fail when he is playing just behind such a complete striker like Torres.

Keane has the potential to be the next David Villa. His skill with the ball and his ability to drop off the main striker and play a free role was a treat to watch for all Spurs fans. If he translates this form to Anfield, Liverpool could well be on their way to mounting a serious title challenge.

Of course, a single footballer doesn't make a team. In this aspect, Benitez has brought in talent like Cavalieri, Degen, Dossena and Ngog. However, I am sticking out my neck here and argue that apart from Keane, these players doesn't seem to be adding the necessary quality to the current Liverpool team.

Sure, these players that were brought in, gives depth to the Liverpool side. Any football manager worth their grain of salt will tell you that depth is key to mounting a serious title challenge. But Jose Mourinho will tell you that you need at least two quality players in every position. And in this area, Benitez is sorely lacking.

Admittedly, to get at least two top quality players for every position will be a bit far-fetched, considering that Liverpool doesn't have the spending power of the likes of Chelsea. But, Benitez could have looked at possible young talents to bolster a squad that already have good players at key positions.

I remembered how Benitez lamented that Liverpool did not have the wealth to compete with the likes of Arsenal to attract youth talent. The next thing you know, Benitez is taking whatever cash he has and splurging it on unnecessary players like Cavalieri (with Reina and Itanje, does Benitez really need another reliable keeper?), Dossena and Degen (how many full backs does Benitez need?). Benitez could have better use the cash to sign up and coming players who most likely won't hurt his pockets as much.

I know that Liverpool fans out there will be accusing me of talking nonsense, considering that Liverpool did sign the likes of Ngog and Lucas. But the very fact that Benitez can be standing there and complaining about the lack of ability to sign youngsters after been thrashed by Arsenal home and away at the League Cup proved that he has not invested in finding better ones.

The key here is to sign quality youngsters that have the potential to step up if necessary, to fill in the positions vacated by injured or suspended key players. Benitez has not done so, instead choosing to sign mediocre players who are in the mid 20s.

If Liverpool really wants to mount a serious title challenge, Benitez needs to rectify this aspect of his strategy. Otherwise, Liverpool's long wait for a league title will not come true under his reign.