Keane shows Reds' domestic designs

The signing of Republic of Ireland record scorer Robbie Keane has again raised expectations among supporters that Liverpool FC can end their long wait for a 19th English league title.

United threat
England's most successful club may have impressed in Europe in recent seasons, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2005 and reaching the final in 2007, but they have not claimed the English title since 1990, which was their eleventh championship in 18 years. But Keane is now being welcomed by some as the final piece of the jigsaw that could see Liverpool end that frustrating wait just as fierce rivals Manchester United FC have moved to within one championship of equalling the Anfield club's English record of 18.

Domestic experience
Like all modern managers, Rafael Benítez shops in a world market but the signing of Keane, who has scored 105 Premier League goals, and the pursuit of Aston Villa FC midfielder Gareth Barry shows he realises more domestic knowledge may be essential for a Premier League title bid. "[Keane] has experience in the Premier League and also all the reports of his personality and professionalism are fantastic," Benítez told the club website. "He is a player who can give to us a lot of goals, normally he gets about 15 each year. We were looking for the work rate he can give to us, the game intelligence and also the goals "

New formation
Liverpool excelled in the latter half of the season with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt the usual front four and Keane could slot into any of the four positions. In midfield, Xabi Alonso is still at the club after Juventus FC cooled their reported interest and Barry could still arrive, but Javier Mascherano and Lucas will miss the start of the season through Olympic Games commitments. Mascherano explained to uefa.com: "I will go to the Olympics and leave the team for one month. I know the team will have important games during the Olympics but I could not say no to my country. It was a difficult decision but we came to the right one."

Degen delight
While Keane is the big summer signing, arriving from Tottenham Hotspur FC for a fee that could rise to €25m, Liverpool have also recruited full-backs Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena and reserve keeper Diego Cavalieri. Degen told uefa.com: "I'm delighted to play for such a club, and I hope we can win a few trophies with Liverpool. We have a lot of ambition [to win titles]. I will fight for my place, I'll work hard each day in training and do everything I can to ensure I play as well as I can."

Youth accent
Benítez has also continued his policy of recruiting the best young players from overseas with Vincent Lucas Weijl, Emmanuel Mendy, Nikola Saric and David Ngog taking the total to 27 foreign teenagers recruited in three years. Most are faces for the future but Ngog may have a more immediate impact. Benítez said: "Normally he will be available for the first team next season. He is a player who wants to improve quickly, so he will learn and then settle down."

Keane ready
In the instant gratification culture of élite club football and with the quest to compete with Manchester United, Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC, such an opportunity is unlikely to be afforded to Keane, but he is prepared for that challenge. "If you look at the squad of players that were already here, along with the addition of a few more, then there is no reason we shouldn't be challenging for the Premier League and other trophies," he said. "I have come here to win things."