Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is confident they can compete with Manchester United and Chelsea this season.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: "I think that I am very clear. I don't like to say things that people will later say: 'Oh but you said this...' We are improving the squad every year. We are trying to be contenders in the Premier League, we are trying to progress in the Champions League and the other competitions.

"We have won some trophies, we have been in some finals and I was surprised when some people say: 'You haven't won anything in the last few years.'

"To finish third and fourth in the Premier League and to play in the final of the Champions League and the semi-final is good and important. It can be better for sure, we want medals and trophies but you can only win one and in this case we were talking about United and Chelsea playing in the final of the Champions League and they are at the top of the Premier League; so this is maybe the most difficult league but we will try to improve again."