Benitez balks at fee for ageing Figo
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-12 09:02

'I hope that the fans here accept me. It has taken a long time, it seems, for me to complete the move, maybe three months of talking.

'And all the while I knew how well Jerzy Dudek had done in the Champions League.

'But my main concern now is to settle here quickly and to learn.

'For me it was the history of the club and the fact that very few players get the chance to join the European champions, that made up my mind to move to Anfield.'

Reina cost ￡6million from Villarreal and is described by Benitez as 'the best goalkeeper in Spain, and now England'.

'When you sign a new 'keeper you are looking long term to him being number one,' said Benitez.

'But I am very happy with Dudek and Scott Carson and at the moment I am not looking at the big picture, only the Champions League qualifiers.'

Liverpool expect to field a strong side against TNS and only Harry Kewell, Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor - all recovering from operations - are not available.

Liverpool will parade the Champions League trophy before making sure they take seriously the ambitious village side from mid-Wales.

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