Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is confident of the board's support - even if they're eliminated from the Champions League this week against Besiktas.

"I don't think our spending longer term will depend on what we do in the Champions League," Benitez said. "My meetings with the Americans - and we have talked about everything - has been about the plan we have. If we win more games it will be easier with more money, but the plan does not depend on this competition.

"The owners are very supportive. When you prepare a plan for a club it is not for one year, it is for a number of years. We have brought in new players and re-signed players as part of that plan. We have not talked about money but ideas and I think they are pleased with my ideas."