Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Manchester City's new owners could turn the club into Premiership champions as early as this season.

Benitez said: "You cannot just win the title by spending money but Chelsea won for two years spending big, big money. Afterwards Manchester United won spending lots of money too.

"If we are talking about spending money then maybe Manchester City will win the title this year.

"It is not just a question of money but if you have more money it is easier.

"If we are talking now, maybe they (City) need time but if we talk in January maybe they will buy five players...then you never know."

The Abu Dhabi United Group have already made their intentions clear, claiming they intend to make City "bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United".