It seems to be the new trend, managers publicly declaring who they want to buy. Luciano Spalletti's comments that Roma were looking at buying Yossi Benayoun quickly made their way to the British media and, with the Gareth Barry deal still pending, it didn't take long for the two stories to be linked to get to a 'Benayoun to be sold to fund Barry deal' scenario.

What hasn't been picked up as quickly is the subsequent developments at Roma. Their summer long saga has revolved around Julio Baptista and now that Real Madrid have finally managed to sign Rafael Van Der Vaart, Roma seem to be on the verge of completing the signing of the Brazilian forward.

With funds limited in Rome just as much as they are in Liverpool, it is unlikely that they would be willing or able to pay the £6 million that Liverpool are asking for Benayoun regardless of Spalletti's comments. Especially as, if anything, the most persistent reports coming from Italy cliam that the midfielder that they are interested in is Chelsea's Florent Malouda or, failing that, Real's Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe.

All of which is good news for Liverpool. Benayoun had a decent enough first season but he probably didn't play as well as was expected. Which, to a certain extent, was to be expected: it was his first year at a big club where good performances are expected on a regular basis rather than intermittently.

Something that he has been doing in pre-season. His goal against Valarenga was class and outdid an equally impressive effort against Tranmere. More importantly, it is the determination and willingness to fight for the ball irrespective of the friendly billing of these games that has caught the eye, clear indication that the player knows that he isn't simply fighting for a place in next weeks' Champions League qualifier but rather to extend his stay at Anfield.

Which, hopefully, should not be in doubt for much longer.