Steve Finnan is happy to have extra competition at Liverpool following the arrival of Philipp Degen from Borussia Dortmund.

Manager Rafael Benitez moved quickly to secure Degen's services at the end of last season, the Swiss international heading to Anfield on a free transfer.

In theory, Degen's signing should be bad news for Finnan. But, after facing similar competition for the right-back slot from Jan Kromkamp and Alvaro Arbeloa, Finnan only sees the threat posed by Degen as positive.

"If the manager wants to add more players, I have no problem with that," the Republic of Ireland said.  "You look at our squad now and you can see we have two top players in nearly every position."

After once again failing to sustain what had been expected to be a strong title challenge, Finnan feels Liverpool need only look to Manchester for an example of what is needed.

While United are presently encountering problems over Cristiano Ronaldo's future, Finnan also recalls manager Alex Ferguson snapped up Anderson, Nani and Owen Hargreaves within days of their 2007 Premier League triumph.

Carlos Tevez subsequently joined the Red Devils as well, proving if the best feel the need to reinforce, Liverpool should too, with more signings of the calibre of Fernando Torres needed.

"You have to add new faces to improve your squad," Finnan said. "I am sure Manchester United will do exactly that this summer and we have to do the same.

"Fernando Torres made a difference by scoring and making crucial goals in big games. If we can get one or two more players with that ability then we will certainly be a lot closer to the teams who finished above us."