Bellamy to boost Liverpool title tilt

LIVERPOOL, England, Aug 10 (Reuters) Liverpool have made the Premier League title their primary goal this season and the signing of Craig Bellamy should allow them to challenge Chelsea.

Bellamy was one of five close-season captures by Liverpool's shrewd Spanish manager Rafael Benitez when he moved from rivals Blackburn for a bargain 11.45 million dollars.

His pace and finishing ability will give Liverpool a cutting edge they lacked last season when they finished third, nine points adrift of title winners Chelsea.

''I knew what Craig was like, but it's always different when you see the player every day. I am really pleased to see him training because he has ability, pace and passion,'' Benitez told the club's Web site.

Bellamy arrived at the club with a reputation for off-field problems and was followed into Anfield by a player with a similar tag, winger Jermaine Pennant.

But Benitez is confident he can control the pair and their presence is sure to scare defenders in the Premier League and the Champions League.

Whilst Bellamy and Pennant are proven performers in England, the other three arrivals will need to win over the Liverpool fans.

Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez was chased for over 12 months by Benitez after failing to win a work permit last year.

He went on to have an excellent season at Real Sociedad in La Liga before finally completing the move to Anfield.

Left back Fabiano Aurelio became the first Brazilian to sign for Liverpool and is well known to Benitez, having played under him at Valencia.

GERRARD DREAM Argentine central defender Gabriel Paletta has already made an impact with his robust tackling in pre-season.

The new signings give the squad a strength in depth that has been missing for many years. It is that quality which will help Benitez achieve his major aim of challenging for the title.

Having won the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup last season, for many at Anfield the most important trophy is now the Premier League.

''The Premiership title would mean everything for me. It is the only one I have missed from a Liverpool point of view and it is a dream to lift that above my head,'' captain Steven Gerrard said..

''Everyone agrees we improved an awful lot last year and we managed to put a trophy in the cabinet. That is very important for Liverpool. The idea now is to get involved in the title race because we haven't been involved in one for a long time.'' The improvement last season can be measured by the fact Liverpool were only nine points behind Chelsea compared to 37 in the previous campaign.

A team that boasts the likes of Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Craig Bellamy, Jamie Carragher and the rejuvenated Robbie Fowler should take a further step forward this season.

REUTERS MQA RK0828