Reds need new stadium to compete says Rafa

Rafa Benitez has asserted the need for a new stadium in order to compete at the highest level with the top teams. Construction work on the new 60,000-seat stadium was halted last year as Tom Hicks and George Gillett stated financing the project had been made more difficult due to the global financial crisis and downturn.

In an interview in the Telegraph Rafa explained "On an economic level we cannot fight with the other big teams, at least for now, in particular because of the stadium," Benitez said. "Old Trafford has 76,000 seats, the Emirates has 60,000, Chelsea can count on Abramovich.”

"Until we have a new stadium, we will not be able to compete economically. In the meantime we'll have to do things very well to be competitive."

Shirt sponsor Carlsberg, as reported on LFC Alert on Friday, have declared an interest in buying the naming rights to the new stadium in Stanley Park, which is adjacent to Anfield.

"We have to first consolidate the level we have reached. We have a better squad now, a structure that works better with very capable people that have a huge amount of desire," Benitez said. "That will bear fruit in the future.

"I have a five-year contract with the power to take decisions, to do things the way I think they should be done, which guarantees, despite the difficulty of the English league, the possibility to be in the race for titles," Benitez said.