Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has suggested that it is more difficult for his team to win the Premier League than rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United because they can't match their spending power.
The Spanish tactician believes that even if the Reds do not win the title this season, they have demonstrated that they have a squad capable of doing so by mounting a serious challenge during the 2008-09 campaign.
However, a recent report suggested that the Merseyside outfit will offload 11 players, including key men such as Xabi Alonso, to fund new acquisitions this summer.
While Benitez has neither confirmed nor denied the claim, he has hinted that a lack of financial backing could make it extremely difficult to compete for England's top prize in the future.
"We are getting closer and closer to winning the league every year," Benitez is quoted as saying by Setanta.
"Everyone knows we are now genuine contenders. We’ve shown this year that we have enough quality in the squad.
"Look at the squad we have now compared to when I arrived here. We have better players with a winning mentality.
"But it is still very difficult when you analyse the financial power of Chelsea, United and Arsenal with the money they can spend."
The Spanish tactician believes that even if the Reds do not win the title this season, they have demonstrated that they have a squad capable of doing so by mounting a serious challenge during the 2008-09 campaign.
However, a recent report suggested that the Merseyside outfit will offload 11 players, including key men such as Xabi Alonso, to fund new acquisitions this summer.
While Benitez has neither confirmed nor denied the claim, he has hinted that a lack of financial backing could make it extremely difficult to compete for England's top prize in the future.
"We are getting closer and closer to winning the league every year," Benitez is quoted as saying by Setanta.
"Everyone knows we are now genuine contenders. We’ve shown this year that we have enough quality in the squad.
"Look at the squad we have now compared to when I arrived here. We have better players with a winning mentality.
"But it is still very difficult when you analyse the financial power of Chelsea, United and Arsenal with the money they can spend."