Benitez insisted Liverpool's owners are remaining "very, very positive".

"I felt they are really focused and supporting so I think the future is great," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Tell me how teams can be in two finals in the Champions League in three years?" he said, insisting co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks share his vision for the club's future.

"They must be pleased with the way the team and the club is going because we are changing a lot of things and I think we are progressing."

And Benitez dismissed suggestions that an early exit from the Champions League this year would cost the club between £17m and £20m.

"That is the money only the finalists get and only two clubs can do that," he said.

"The financial implications in losing are not as big as people suggest.

"But we must think about football first and not to be bothered by other things - that will be taken care of later.

"I have talked to the owners, but not about money, just our ideas for the future."