"Xabi is from the Basque country and believe me, they are very strong people- they are no soft touch and there will be no problems for him," said Benitez.
"The mentality in the Basque country in northern Spain is very similar to the north of England. It is always raining for a start and you see them fighting for balls in the air, fighting for the tackle.
"It is a different game to the way they play in southern Spain. There, the pitches are drier and they play a different style, so Xabi is well suited to the English game.
"Both Xabi and Keane will know all about each other. They both play for their national teams and even if Xabi doesn't know, then I'm sure Steven Gerrard will have told him."