Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez took his summer spending to an estimated £37m with the addition of Holland forward Ryan Babel but admitted it might not be enough to wrest the Premier League title from Manchester United.

With Babel arriving for £11.5m from Ajax and midfielder Yossi Benayoun recruited from West Ham on Thursday for about £5m, the Spanish coach has underlined his ambition.

The duo followed club-record £20m signing Fernando Torres to Anfield within the space of a week and while Benitez is excited about what the future holds, he sounded a note of caution.

''I feel we are going in the right direction. If you look at the value of the squad three years ago and its value now, the squad is much better,'' he said.

''I don't know, however, if it will be enough for winning the title. Manchester United won the title and are spending more money than anyone.

''Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are also spending lots of money but at least we are competing with these teams in the market and that is important.

''We needed to go one step, maybe two steps at a time, but in fact we are going a little bit faster than anticipated.''

Benitez knows expectations will be high at Anfield because of the money he has invested in new players - striker Andriy Voronin has also checked in after finishing his contract at Bayer Leverkusen.

But the Spaniard said: ''I prefer to have pressure as that brings on competition.

''We have some young players, who will improve playing good football and winning games.

''We are really pleased with the squad as I feel it has enough balance.

''You always want two players in each position and we are now really close to this situation.''

Babel has signed a five-year deal after taking the eye for the victorious Holland team in the recent European Under-21 Championships, while Benayoun brings Premier League experience.

The pair will add creativity to the flanks, an area where Liverpool have been lacking in comparison with their main rivals.

Benitez said: ''Ryan and Yossi can both play as wingers. Ryan is a player with quality and pace. He is a very good young player. He is playing well now and will play well in the future.

''Yossi brings a different dimension to the team. He can change games, especially when you play at home.

''He has experience in England and that is really important. He can help the other players here.''

It has been a whirlwind time for Babel and he said: ''I am very excited after the coach explained his plans.

''He gave me lot of confidence and that made my decision to come very easy.

''I am happy to be part of this set up and hopefully we can win a lot of prizes this season.''

Israel midfielder Benayoun, who reportedly took a pay cut to move to Anfield, believes he is taking a step up in class.

''This is the biggest move of my career and a dream for me,'' he said.

''At 27 I am ready to play for a club like Liverpool. I think I deserve to get this chance.

''It is not about money, it is about ambition and the opportunity to win trophies.

''Of course there is going to be competition for places but I am prepared to work hard.''