 RAFAEL BENITEZ believes the forthcoming January transfer window represents a crucial period in Liverpool's immediate development. Having been thwarted in his attempts to further bolster his squad just before deadline day earlier this season, the Anfield manager is expected to bring in a clutch of new signings next month. Liverpool's improving form - Sunday's Club World Championship defeat was their first loss in 12 games, a spell in which they have won seven successive Premiership encounters - means Benitez can build from a position of strength. But the Spaniard acknowledges the importance of maintaining that progress by making the right additions and the difficulty of prising top-quality players away from their clubs during mid-season. "Always signings are important, but now we are in a good position, it is even more so," said Benitez. "But it is difficult to sign in January because the best players are playing in good teams, which makes it harder. But then after the World Cup, prices go up if they have had a good tournament. "It isn't only about money either. I always say it's like having a table with three legs and you need to get the other one to fit properly. "You want a certain size and people may be saying 'have this one, it's cheaper and it's better' but you have to make sure you get the right one. It is the same in football - if you want to build a team, you have to get the one that fits in. "In this case we have done it with four players (in the summer), but we want to get more. We want to grow and we want to be positive." Liverpool, who arrived back on Merseyside yesterday evening following their Far East sojourn, will hand Benitez a transfer kitty of around £15million, although that could increase with any departures during what may be a surprisingly busy month in the market for the European Champions. Liverpool bought four players during the summer - Pepe Reina, Boudewijn Zenden, Mohamed Sissoko and Peter Crouch - and as many again could arrive in the New Year, depending on who may leave. | 
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