Liverpool: ready to swim, or still in the deep end?

So here we are again; back to the, now habitual, start of season question of whether Liverpool can really put up a true fight to wrench the Premier League crown from the clutches of their adversaries.

So far the signs do not look promising. A few minor transfers already completed, mainly with regard to signing youth players, yet no signatures that could put a sparkle in the eye of the Koppite.

No Gareth Barry. No Robbie Keane. No equivalent to the sensation that is Fernando Torres.

So, who has Benitez signed, and are they of the quality that Anfield has been longing for such a long time?

Firstly, there is Diego Cavalieri. Still young at 25, he is certainly a good goalkeeper. Having made around 104 first team appearances for Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, he is not lacking in experience.

However, one cannot help but get the feeling that he is an acquisition for the long-term. A snip at £3million, but he is unlikely to play regularly; perhaps making an outing for the League and FA cups if Benitez uses them as an excuse to rest Reina.

Yet Cavalieri knows this: "I know it won't be easy to get into the team. I know I will have to be patient and work very hard to achieve my aims." Thus Cavalieri, although good, is unlikely to have a big impact on Liverpool's fortunes this season.

Secondly, Philipp Degen. Again 25 years old, and on a free transfer, he could be a quality back-up. But that's all he is likely to be. With Arbeloa having taken leaps-and-bounds over the course of last season, the Swiss international is not a signing to immediately take over the right-back berth from the ageing Steve Finnan.

Benitez was quick to point out Degen's qualities though: "His strength is going forward. He is an offensive player with great energy and a winning mentality," Benitez told the club's website.

Benitez also stated that Degen has top-level experience, having played in Champions League matches for former club Basel, and having notched 26 international appearances under his belt.

Yet, it is the third acquisition that is perhaps the biggest so far. Andrea Dossena. The once-capped, 26-year-old Italian left-back is being hailed as the player who can fill the, somewhat sizeable, void left by Riise's departure to Roma.

Dossena signed from Udinese for an undisclosed fee, and notched up 63 appearances in the past two seasons. The Italian, the first Italian international to pull on the famous club colours, is notorious for his aggression and uncompromising defending.

"I do consider myself an aggressive player and sometimes I have been sent off for certain tackles, but I also like to play with the ball and, as long as the balance of the team isn't disturbed, I like to go forward," Dossena said after arriving at Anfield.

Certainly, he is a quality capture by Benitez, yet he may have to work on his infamous temper—he was one of only two Serie A players to be sent off twice last season!

And so to speculation; to Barry. The situation with Barry is now even more complicated.  With Xabi Alonso looking set to remain with the Reds, Liverpool have almost too many central midfielders. Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, and Lucas all occupy a middle-berth.

Barry, although adept at playing on the left, would perhaps cause a selection headache. Doubtless he is of the quality that Liverpool expect, but with an £18million asking price even this may be too much for a player that is not leagues ahead of Alonso or Mascherano.

Yet, if scrooge-like Martin O'Neill can be persuaded to lower his valuation of Barry, the Englishman and good friend of Gerrard would be a great addition to the Liverpool fold.

Robbie Keane. A good striker, who netted 15 league goals last season for Spurs. A couple of question marks hang over him though. Would his style of play really be that best suited to Torres' leading-the-line style?

Dirk Kuyt, for all his effort, doesn't score many goals—yet he does strive to get the ball and then deliver it to Torres, who is a deadly finisher. However, with the sad departure of the likeable Crouch to Portsmouth, Benitez does need to increase his options in attack.

Legendary Reds forward, Ian Rush was recently quoted as saying that he thinks Keane would be a great signing, and I have to agree; with lots of experience (and goals) in the Premier League, Keane is a tried-and-tested good striker—certainly better than Voronin, whose patchy goalscoring was highlighted only a couple of days ago with a lame penalty attempt against Hertha Berlin.

Yet, and as a parting comment, it seems to me that Benitez should really look to his wings. Pennant did not have the consistent form that is needed for a right-winger.  David Bentley, if available, would be a good signing and would add more stability to the right, and would provide more crosses for Torres and co to latch onto the end of.

Ryan Babel, although out with injury during the recent European tournament, plays well on the left and has a knack of scoring goals. Monaco player Jeremy Menez is young, quick, and already a very good player, and Benitez would do better to find a winger like this.

Even Shaun Wright-Phillips would have a positive impact. Or, if the Keane approach does not work out, then Spain's David Villa would be an excellent signing—especially after his fruitful Euro 2008 partnership with Torres.

Overall, Liverpool's, already mean, defence has been strengthened—a good thing too, considering the arrivals of attacking players like Nasri, Jo and Modric into the Premier League.

However, having found the spark of attacking play in Torres last season, Benitez should reinforce his attacking options heavily. The Reds defence will concede few—it is up the other end that the goals need to come freely.

If Liverpool's attack does not get more potent, then it will be another season without the hallowed Premier League trophy returning to its spiritual home.