Manchester United's projected £58 million outlay on Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson, coupled with the impending arrival of Carlos Tévez from West Ham United on a two-year loan, has convinced BenÍtez that he can ill-afford to rest on his laurels as he endeavours to end Liverpool's seventeen-year wait for the league title.
BenÍtez is hopeful of some resolution in his protracted pursuit of Yossi Benayoun this week while, at the same time, attempting to land a second winger to rival the £20.2 million capture of Torres from Atlético Madrid.
Ricardo Quaresma, of FC Porto, who would cost about £15 million, and Alessandro Mancini, the £11 million-rated AS Roma player, are thought to be under consideration, although BenÍtez has so far kept his cards close to his chest. Gabriel Heinze, the Argentina defender, is also wanted, although Manchester United are reluctant to sell him to their fierce rivals.
Liverpool have had two bids for Benayoun rejected by West Ham, but are hopeful that an improved third offer of £5 million will be enough to secure the Israel midfield player's signature. Given that Benayoun is expected to be more of a squad player than a guaranteed starter, it is unlikely that the Merseyside club will go above that fee.
West Ham are digging their heels in over Benayoun, as much out of a desire to keep him as their annoyance at his decision to snub the offer of a five-year contract that he had appeared ready to sign.
"We do not need a lot more in terms of new players for next season, maybe two new faces," BenÍtez said. "On Benayoun, we must wait and see what happens. I like him as a player, yes. Maybe we could find another player, but with him I would be happy."
BenÍtez's ability to spend has been boosted by the influx of cash from the £8 million sale of Djibril Cissé to Marseilles and the departure of Craig Bellamy, whose £7.5 million move to West Ham should be ratified in the next day or two, once Liverpool have resolved a contractual issue with the Wales forward. Bellamy believes that he is entitled to a payoff given that he did not ask for a transfer.
West Ham were dismayed that BenÍtez announced that the Bellamy deal was done when it had yet to be formally concluded, although it remains to be seen whether the matter will have any bearing on the Benayoun negotiations.
BenÍtez will doubtless be glad to hear that Jamie Carragher is on the verge of quitting international football so that he can concentrate his efforts on winning trophies with Liverpool and spending more time with his family.
The defender's likely decision is thought to have been prompted by the selection of Ledley King ahead of him for England's European Championship qualifying match against Estonia in Tallinn last month.
Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, Liverpool's American owners, will submit their revised plans for a new stadium in Stanley Park to Liverpool City Council on July 25.
Although the initial capacity will be about 60,000, the new plans will mean that the stadium could be expanded to seat nearer 80,000, potentially making it bigger than Old Trafford, which has a capacity of 76,000.