Benitez targets long-term success

Benitez believes players will find it hard to say no to Liverpool

Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool are in a better position than their rivals to challenge Manchester United for the league title during the coming seasons.

And the Reds manager said that building a settled squad was a key factor in the club's on-pitch improvement.

"Stability is good for any club and because the squad is better it means you don't need to change many players.

"I think we are better placed than the others for challenging United in the long term," Benitez said.

The 49-year-old, who has been at the club since 2004, added that the "spine of the team" was in place and just a couple more players were needed to take the team to a higher level.

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"Now it will be easier. We can say to players 'come to Liverpool as you will win trophies in the future' and I think they will come," he said.

"We need some quality players to take us forward. If we can keep the consistency of this year then one or two players could make a massive difference."

Under Benitez, Liverpool have won the Champions League and FA Cup, although the highest they have finished in the Premier League is third.

The Anfield club have not won the league title since 1990 and are currently three points behind leaders United, although they have played one more game.