Rafa still has Euro plans

Benitez: Expects top four finish

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Rafa Benitez has held talks with Liverpool's managing director and insists the club are on sound financial footing.

The Reds have endured a difficult few weeks, with their domestic and European ambitions taking a flurry of heavy blows.

Defeat at Fulham last weekend all but ended their Premier League title dreams, while a 1-1 draw in Lyon in midweek has left their UEFA Champions League ambitions hanging in the balance.

There are fears that the club, who are already saddled with huge debts, will struggle to compete at the highest level if they are unable to keep raising considerable funding through their performances on the field.

The riches on offer in the Champions League are vital to the Reds, and they can ill-afford to spend a season away from European football's top table.

Benitez, though, claims that plans have already been put in place to deal with any eventuality and he is adamant that Liverpool remain a side in good shape.

Confidence

"I spoke to Christian Purslow (Liverpool's managing director) the other day about the finances," said the Spaniard.

"The first thing, though, is that we have confidence we can still reach the last 16 of the Champions League this season.

"But whatever happens, the budget was done for this season based on us only qualifying for the group stages. And we did that, that is complete.

"Whether we can still bring in more money, we will wait and see. The commercial department is working very hard, for the next season (in Europe) it is a question of time.

"The Premier League is a long race, we must keep going. I am confident the team will finish in the top four and we are able to continue to do well in Europe, so let's start against Birmingham (on Monday) with the right result.

"We have to do our job against Birmingham, and then I can guarantee that things will start to get easier."