Rafa Benitez is expected to sign a new five-year contract with Liverpool by the end of next week.

Benitez and his advisers seem unlikely to reach total agreement with the club in time for a morale-boosting announcement ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester United. Benitez instead will finalise terms after the game.

He said: "I have a contract with Liverpool and I owe the club. Next week I will sit down with my bosses and study the future plans. I have to make a decision in two weeks."

Fresh from the 4-0 trouncing of Real Madrid, the Anfield boss defended his Barclays Premier League record against United.

He said: "Competing in the Premier League with Manchester United and Chelsea is difficult. I am not a cry-baby. They have the money to sign five £20million players and so, if one or two don't work out, they are still left with three more. I only have resources to sign two.

"I am still a young coach (49 next month) and I am not able to guess what will happen. Real Madrid is a big club, but I am at another massive club and that motivates me."