Rafael Benitez has been told he can add to his Liverpool squad...next year.

The Reds have announced an £80million sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered Bank from next season, which will boost Benitez’s transfer funds in the summer.

"The fans will ask, of course, whether the money will stay within the club and they'll be pleased to know the revenue, profits and income is the club's," said MD Christian Purslow.

"It stays in the club, and our job is to support the team so we'll invest a sensible amount in our wage bill and a sensible level of profits in our transfers.

"From next summer, my ability to support Rafa in the transfer market will be hugely enhanced. We want to be the best football team in the world.”

Liverpool have made a shaky start to the new season, which is doubly frustrating for the fans following last term when they ran Manchester United close to the title.

The squad doesn’t seem to have improved over the summer, and Benitez will no doubt rue not having the sort of cash available to him next year in recent months.

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