Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez fears next season's expected title push is set to collapse due to the club's financial problems.

The Mail on Sunday says Benitez is resigned to watching transfer targets follow Gareth Barry and, in all likelihood, Glen Johnson into the clutches of rivals.

Benitez seems unlikely to be able to make the one or two significant signings which captain Steven Gerrard believes the squad need, with the Americans struggling to make ends meet, let alone compete in the transfer market with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

The publication of accounts for the club and their holding companies last week laid bare the danger of financial meltdown if Hicks and Gillett fail to refinance their £350million loan facility with Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia.