Rafa admits Johnson was pricey

Rafa Benitez admitted that Glen Johnson cost a little too much that he had hoped to have paid, after Liverpool completed a £17.5 million move for the Portsmouth man, beating Chelsea to his signature.

Back in 2007, Johnson joined Portsmouth for only £4 million, representing a huge profit for the Fratton Park outfit.

However, Benitez was very quick to defend his transfer activity.

Benitez said: "Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more. You can't compete in the top four of the Premier League unless you spend some money. We were looking for a player of quality and also somebody who is British because of the new Champions League rules. Glen Johnson fits both categories."