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All Rafa Benitez 45 signings for Liverpool ranked!

By David Gate

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez in good spirits during the press conference prior to the UEFA Europa League semi final second leg match between Liverpool and Athletico Madrid at Anfield on April 28, 2010 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez in good spirits during the press conference prior to the UEFA Europa League semi final second leg match between Liverpool and Athletico Madrid at Anfield on April 28, 2010 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Kyrgiakos
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Number 29: Sotirios Kyrgiakos

The big Greek freak came to Liverpool as a free transfer in 2009 to help bring cover to central defense following Sami Hyypia’s departure to Bayer Leverkusen. He ended making 49 appearances over 2 years and had some strong performances in that time.

His first season under Benitez was a mini-success for him personally. He was regularly rated as our best defender in that turbulent season. he seemed to handle the pressure of replacing Hyypia with relish.

Under Roy Hodgson he ended up playing in the first team a lot alongside Jamie Carragher as Hodgson sort to install his agricultural style of football.

The English manager also had the habit of pushing Kyrgiakos up front late in games where we trailing as we sort to pump it into the box at every opportunity.

He ended up with three goals for the club before leaving for Wolfsburg in the summer of 2011 as Kenny Dalglish sort to renovate the squad. @davidgatesports

Robbie Keane
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /

Number 28: Robbie Keane

This was a weird one. On paper it made all the sense in the world. Liverpool had been overly reliant on Fernando Torres the previous season and needed more goals in a team with a stout defense and the best midfield trio in Europe.

Lifelong Liverpool fan Robbie Keane seemed the perfect addition. A natural goalscorer and a hard worker he seemed ready-made to join Benitez at Liverpool.

It took him a while to get going. He scored in Europe and the League Cup but was very slow to score in the Premier League not netting in the league until November against West Brom. Despite not finding the net he had been instrumental in victories against Everton and Manchester United helping Liverpool to a strong start.

Liverpool had a mini-dip in form, four draws in 5 games as they fell behind United in the title race. Keane’s profligacy was often cited as a cause. An equalizer at Arsenal stemmed the tide of criticism and he scored a brace against Bolton on Boxing Day.

Three straight draws in January saw Benitez lose patience in Keane and he was sold on the deadline day back to Spurs at a significant loss. It was a hasty decision as Liverpool rallied later in the season for title challenge. If only we had kept Keane six more months there may have been another important goal or two for the Irishman. @davidgatesports

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