Anfield boss Rafael Benitez returned to his desk at the club's Melwood training complex on Wednesday after a 10-day training trip to Switzerland and Germany, intent on finalising the Republic of Ireland international's £20million move to the club.

Benitez is also hoping to bring to an end the saga of Gareth Barry's move from Aston Villa, as well as adding two young players to the club's payroll.

Liverpool are expecting to complete the £1.5million move of teenage Paris St Germain striker David N'Gog to the club, and have confirmed the arrival of 18-year-old Spanish full-back Emmanuel Mendy from Murcia Deportivo on a three-year deal.

Mendy has been signed to compete for a place in the reserves, but N'Gog will go straight into the first team squad.

But it is the impending arrival of Keane that is exciting Kuyt and his team-mates, with speculation that deal is close.

Kuyt told the Liverpool Echo: "Keane has played for many years in the Premier League and he has done really well with Spurs and is a massive player for them.

"We all know how well he did for Spurs last season and if he could do the same for us, if he came here, he would be a great signing.

"When you are at a club like Liverpool you expect the club to be linked with top players and of course you want players like Keane because they can come in and do a good job.

"It would make competition for places even tougher, but that is the way it should be because it brings out the best in you.

"We are always looking to try and find out what is going on and we expect a few more signings but I suppose we will just have to wait and see."

Benitez saw his side draw 0-0 against Hertha Berlin in the Olympic stadium on Tuesday, before returning to Merseyside still unbeaten after four pre-season friendlies.

Benitez now has a clear week before the club's next warm-up match, away to Villarreal on July 30, to try to bring a quick conclusion to a list of possible transfer deals.

He will also have the Spanish contingent back in training on Friday, with Euro 2008 heroes Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Jose Reina all returning from holidays.

Liverpool send a reserve side to play at Stockport on Saturday, but clearly without the top stars.

Benitez was happy with the performance in Berlin, but said: "There were young players and new players and everyone was trying to do their best.

"It was positive. But we have the Spanish players back soon and Torres will be one of them. We will see the difference once we have got these players in the side and they will show the quality that they had last season.

"We have seen a lot of good young players in the last few games, and they have done a good job. We were well-organised and had an offensive mentality."

One of the youngsters who had made a good impact in pre-season is reserve skipper Stephen Darby.

He said: "I am pleased with how things have gone.

"To play in Berlin in the Olympic stadium was great. The attendance was 51,000, which is the biggest crowd I have played in front of. I would obviously like to do it more often in the future.

"It has been an amazing experience to play alongside the first team through pre-season. It is the kind of thing you dream about as a kid. Hopefully there is more of it to come during the season.

"The main differences I have noticed are the speed of the game and the strength of the players, but Rafa, Sammy Lee and the other staff have been, and always are, here to help me improve."