London, Apr. 8 : Liverpool requires new investment, said coach Rafa Benitez.

On the eve of the club''s biggest game of the campaign, Benitez hinted strongly that he had taken the club to certain level, but could not take it further without fresh investment from its American owners.

Benitez has been in the firing line all week for hauling off Fernando Torres in Sunday''s draw at Birmingham, a game Liverpool desperately needed to win in their chase for fourth place.

But he came out with all guns blazing.

"Some players have talked of what we need and I agree. You can''t expect any more from them, but if we want to take one step forward, we need money to compete with the top four. For six months I was really optimistic, especially with this (Rhone) group, but they''re not there now - the Rhone Group has gone. For six months, I have been waiting for investment and trying to focus in football, and I will do the same again now, because it''s best for the club,”Benitez said.

"For six years, I have been wheeling and dealing to keep this club at a very good level. I think now it''s time to just focus on football and the game and see what happens. When I signed for five more years, I knew it could be difficult, but we were waiting for the investment and the players had the same opinion. Now, we have to stick together - it''s the only way we can help," The Sun quoted Rafa, as saying further. (ANI)