Rafa Benitez will concentrate on ensuring Liverpool become genuine title contenders after committing his future to the club until 2010. It will end any hopes Real Madrid or any other interested parties had of luring Benitez away from Liverpool

Benitez claimed at the club's AGM earlier this year that he was confident he could build a squad capable of ending Liverpool's championship drought, which goes back to 1990.

Daniel Alves remains his main transfer target for the summer, although Benitez will not be held to ransom over the Brazilian. Sevilla have placed a £12.3m price tag on the 23-year-old, but Liverpool are willing to bide their time for that to fall with the player having previously stated his desire for a move to Anfield.

Benitez will also strengthen his striking department with two arrivals with Jermain Defoe, Craig Bellamy, Dirk Kuyt and Darren Bent all being assessed.