Benitez has praised his latest acquisition, Argentinian defender Gabriel Paletta, after he signed a four-year contract.

Having agreed to join Liverpool from Atletico Banfield in February, the 20-year-old Argentina under-21s international tied up the transfer yesterday.

Liverpool manager Benitez is delighted to have secured Paletta's services, comparing him to Anfield stalwart Jamie Carragher and veteran Argentina defender Roberto Ayala.

Said Benitez of Paletta: "If you're talking about Liverpool, he's more like Carra than Sami Hyypia. This is good because we will have a balance in the style of defenders. He is a defender with a lot of aggression and we're sure he has a great future."