Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says the current squad is the best he's had at Anfield.

Before their defeat to Tottenham, Benitez said: "It's clear the squad is getting better every year, and that's why I'm signing players all the time.

"I didn't know there were just three players left from that first game. But it puts into perspective that we are improving.

"I think this is the best squad we've had during my time here, but hopefully in the next few years it can get better.

"To be contenders, you need quality, desire, passion, character - all those things together. That's the reason you need to change players.

"Little by little we are getting there. Agger has almost everything you would want; Mascherano, Skrtel, Reina, Alonso - these are all players that we've brought in who give us those qualities and can guarantee they will perform in the Premier League, as well as the other competitions."