After turning down Everton despite meeting Goodison Park boss David Moyes in Amsterdam recently, Sissoko will become Benitez’s fifth signing in a week.

Sissoko is now expected to sign a five-year deal, the second time he has signed for Benitez having previously been snapped up from Auxerre when the Liverpool boss was in charge at Valencia.

Benitez said: “He was called the new Vieira a few years ago and he played many games when he was 18 and 19, and I think he has the energy we need in midfield.

“He has incredible ability for his age, I saw Vieira when he was 18 years old and he was no better than Sissoko. Sissoko runs more than Vieira and in a couple of years he will be more dynamic than Vieira and a better player.”

Sissoko admits the move has taken him by surprise and added: “I am now going to a great club who will play in the Champions League, and that is very important. They have gambled on me and I don’t want to let them down.”

Benitez is aiming to bring in three of four more players before the transfer window shuts at the end of August, and is still chasing Real Madrid star Luis Figo and Southampton’s Peter Crouch.

He has been linked with Birmingham’s Matthew Upson and Chelsea’s William Gallas and is still interested in Real Zaragoza defender Gabriel Milito.

Benitez added: “We still have possibilities and Figo and Crouch are two of them. We are still trying to bring in new players.”

But with 11 players already having left Anfield this summer, it looks likely now that Spanish winger Antonio Nunez could also be on his way home. Nunez is wanted by newly prompted Celta Vigo in his homeland and was left out of Saturday’s Liverpool squad at Wrexham.

Benitez added: “It depends on the offer. Vigo are one of the clubs who have been mentioned and we are trying to find a solution because he is a top-class player.”

Salif Diao, now back from a loan spell at Birmingham, could also be facing the Anfield exit with his agent being told he can find his client another club.