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Benitez has already accepted he paid over the odds for Johnson, but stressed there were many factors which made the deal the right one for the club.
After after a summer which has already seen the £59million transfer of Kaka - and the expected £80million move of Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid the Liverpool boss is happy with the outlay on his first signing of the summer.
“We knew the market was going to be difficult this summer and some of it has been crazy,” said Benitez.
“Manchester City and Chelsea were there - they were making offers. We had to be quick and the club acted quickly.
“It was down to the player whether he chose us or City or Chelsea and he chose us.
“It was very clear from talking to him that he wanted to play for Liverpool.”
