Rafael Benitez is often criticised for wasting too much money on the likes of Josemi, Fernando Morientes and Jan Kromkamp yet the imminent sale of Scott Carson to Aston Villa should be his perfect risposte.

The young keeper was signed for a mere ₤750,000 from Leeds United in January 2005 but should now fetch around ₤8 million: more than ten times the original price. Even allowing for the wages paid over the past couple of years and the paying off of the sell on clause to Leeds, it will still mean a huge profit for Liverpool.

Aware of his potential as the best English keeper of his generation, few Liverpool fans would willingly sell Carson.

Fewer still, however, would be those ready to venture that he could break into the side. Pepe Reina is proving to be an exceptional goalkeeper - certainly on par with Peter Cech as the best in the league - and for all of Carson's ability he is unlikely to displace him.