Liverpool

Benitez came very close just over 12 months ago to securing the Reds’ first title success since 1990 when his side finished second, four points behind Manchester United at the top. But it all went wrong last season as Liverpool struggled both domestically and in Europe and ended up way off the pace, finally finishing seventh come the end of the campaign.

Benitez, whose future remains very much up in the air amid reported interest from Inter Milan, admits he feels the pressure and the high expectation levels on Merseyside.

“It is impossible to ignore the pressure until you have won the league title,” he said.

“You know you have a responsibility, there are demands on you and you have to get used to it. Every week you have to pass a test.”

The Spanish coach has remained coy about his future but insisted earlier this week he remains committed to the club and appears to be building for the future following the capture of Charlton teenager Jonjo Shelvey, while a deal for highly-rated Rangers full-back Danny Wilson is also expected to go through soon.

The Reds boss also hopes to land Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic on a free transfer, while he has other targets over the summer despite being unsure how much money he has to spend as he looks to improve his squad.

On his budget, Benitez added: “I have an idea and I think it’s important to wait and do the right thing at the right moment.”

However, with the World Cup looming (Spain 4/1 favourites), it appears the Liverpool manager has accepted he may not be able to sign anyone until after the summer’s showpiece event.

“Liverpool are working on our next signings,” he said.

“I have my ideas and I know what I want, but we have to wait, because now we have the difficulty that the World Cup always brings.”

While some new faces are expected at Anfield by the end of the summer, there remains considerable doubt over the future of several current first-team stars.

Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Alberto Aquilani and Javier Mascherano are all thought to be weighing up whether to  move on if they feel the Reds, who are without Champions League  football for the first time since Benitez took over in 2004, are not moving in the right direction.

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