Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has again expressed frustration over the lack of transfer funds he's had this summer.

The Sun says American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett promised Benitez he could buy the players needed to improve on last season's second place.

He was told there would be £20m from the re-financing deal that allowed the Yanks to remain in control of the club, the £12m he recouped from selling Robbie Keane back to Tottenham, plus any cash he generated from sales during the close season.

But despite bringing in £36m by selling the likes of Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Sebastien Leto, Benitez claims there is no money for any more major signings.

Although Alberto Aquilani and Glen Johnson cost a combined £38m, £5m of that was accounted for by money Portsmouth still owed Liverpool for Peter Crouch. That means Benitez was entitled to believe he would still have around £35m to spend. But his mood tells you it simply is not there.

He added: "To see better players than we have now is not easy. If you analyse it you have to spend big, big money to sign these players."