Do we need Diego Cavalieri?

It appears the Reds are close to securing the signing of little known Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri from club side Palmeiras in what I must say is a surprise move.

It undoubtedly means that Frenchman Carlos Itandje's Anfield career is over after just one season and seven appearances. The supposedly extrovert goalkeeper never looked convincing between the sticks (Havant & Waterlooville and Barnsley anyone?) and his departure is not surprising. Galatasary, now home to Harry Kewell, may be the destination.

But Cavalieri's arrival is surprising in that we have still to offload Scott Carson after he returned from his loan spell at Aston Villa.

While in the reserves David Martin acquitted himself well in their title winning season and has been on the first team bench on numerous occasions but the 22 year old isn't being considered as a credible number two to Reina.

Considering Benitez has used his extensive scouting network to recruit the likes of Nikolay Mihaylov, Martin Hansen, Peter Gulacsi and Dean Bouzanis from far and wide it's surprising that he has decided the oldest of the lot, Martin, whose been at the club over two years now is not yet capable of at least deputising for Pepe.

Cavalieri will arrive from Brazil to a new country, new culture, new language, new style of football for £3m, a sizeable amount in these financially tight times.

And yet one wonders whether he might go the same way as Daniele Padelli and Itandje before him, one season of fleeting but less than impressive appearances before being shipped out again as the likes of Martin continue to wait in the wings.