Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane was unveiled today as a new Liverpool player declaring that he had not let Tottenham down by leaving for what is a "new chapter in my life", while Anfield boss Rafael Benitez has insisted that he is still seeking to bring Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry to the club.

The 28-year-old has completed his move from White Hart Lane to join the club he has supported all his life.

Keane, whose move has been heavily criticised by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, will now make his debut tomorrow in a friendly away to Villarreal.

Keane, 28, said: "I do not think I let Spurs down. I had six fantastic seasons there and gave them everything. Since day one. I always give everything, and that will never change. The Spurs fans were always magnificent to me and I will always have a place in my heart for them.

"But this is a new chapter in my life and one that I am looking forward to. I had six great years at Spurs and thank them for that. There are players leaving Spurs, but there are also good players coming in. I can only focus on Robbie Keane and what is good for me."

Keane will now wear the number seven shirt at Liverpool made famous by legends like Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan.

Keane said: "To wear that shirt is an honour, and something I truly understand. If I can have half as much success in it as Keegan and Dalglish did, I will be a happy man."

He added: "I've been waiting for this day since I was a kid. Everyone knows I am a massive Liverpool fan, so to be sitting here today in a Liverpool tracksuit is a dream come true.

"I always wanted to be a footballer as a kid, but also to play for Liverpool. Maybe you never feel it is going to happen. I could have come here as a teenager, but chose Wolves because I felt there would be more chance of immediate first team football, and that proved to be the case.

"Now I am enjoying every minute and I can't wait to pull on that red shirt. This is a massive club and want to do everything I can to make them even more successful.

"The reasons I left Spurs are that I am a huge Liverpool fan and the chance to play for them may never come around again. This opportunity is something I couldn't let go. I am at an age now when I believe I am at my peak, and aim to kick on.

"This is a great opportunity now for me, the whole package that Liverpool has to offer really inspires me. I am just grateful to be here. I love the club and this is the one dream I had still had to achieve."

Keane was still at primary school the last time Liverpool lifted the league crown in 1990 and has vowed to play his part in ending that title drought.

"I don't really remember that last title win, I was too young but now I hope I can contribute as part of the team that finally wins the league crown again," he said.

"All my older brothers and the rest of the family are all mad-keen Liverpool fans and always talk about the great days of the past.

"Now I have fulfilled my own dream of joining the club, I believe we can seriously challenge for the title.

"This club has stature, great players and tradition. There is no reason we cannot finally win the title again."

Meanwhile, Benitez revealed this afternoon that Barry is still a target but admitted that more players will have to be sold to fund the deal.

Benitez could sell Jermaine Pennant, Andriy Voronin or Steve Finnan, but it is still more likely that he will persuade Xabi Alonso to leave if he can get a €17million-plus bid for the Spanish midfielder.

After completing the Keane deal, Benitez talked in terms of one more major departure rather than a string of smaller deals, to finance a €21million move for Barry.

Benitez said: "We knew that we could only spend money by selling players and we have been doing this (for Keane).

"We are still trying to sign the players that we need, and if we need to sell someone now, okay, we will do so.

"If we can do it (the Barry deal) before the end of the transfer window, we will continue to try. We will always continue to improve our squad."

Liverpool are believed to have had a €9million bid from Sevilla for 25-year-old full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, but Benitez has made it clear the player is going nowhere, despite speculation the defender wants to return to Spain for personal reasons.

Benitez maintains there is no truth in the assumption Arbeloa is eager to leave and the former Deportivo La Coruna player will be part of his plans in the coming season.