LONDON: Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez (pic) made a downbeat assessment of his title chances on Saturday, appearing unhappy at the failure of the club to spend lavishly on new players.

"The Premier League is becoming more and more difficult because so many people are spending money," Benitez said on Liverpool's website. "La Liga is fantastic, but now the Premier League is better and more difficult."

The Spaniard's anxieties were heightened when Abu Dhabi investors agreed to buy out Manchester City and took just a day to sign Brazil forward Robinho for STG32.5 million (RM199.4 million).

Benitez's most expensive offseason signing was striker Robbie Keane for STG19 million with Liverpool's American owners reportedly refusing to sanction the funds for England midfielder Gareth Barry.

"People need to understand that to win trophies is really difficult," said Benitez, who steered the Reds to Champions League glory in 2005. "More and more teams are spending more and more money."
Liverpool fans have been waiting since 1990 for a 19th English title, but Benitez said qualifying for the Champions League for five straight seasons was itself an important achievement.

"If the owners of the clubs keep on spending big, big money, then they will want more and more success. But how many teams can win the title? Just one," Benitez said.

"So the rest of the teams who spend big money, the owners will realise they haven't won, so it could be more pressure and more problems for everyone.

"We're improving the squad every year, the value of the squad has become much better. We know we're better than before, but maybe the other teams are better also. Look at City, for example." -- AP