Spanish coach Rafael Benitez will be backed by Liverpool owners in his overhaul plan during the summer, the club's chief executive Rick Parry said on Monday. The former Valencia coach is aiming to help Liverpool mount a serious challenge for the Premiership title next season. The Reds' new owners, American tycoons George Gillet JR and Tom Hicks, have promised to support Benitez with cash injection during the summer transfer window, according to Parry. "I can reassure Liverpool fans the commitment of the owners is absolutely clear," Parry told The Sun. "They are going to provide backing to Rafa, they have made that clear to him this week, so we will be moving forward."
Gerrard Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes challenging for the Premiership title next season has to be top of the list of priorities at Anfield. "Winning the league next season has got to be a priority for me, the manager, the players and the new people in charge," the England midfielder was quoted as saying by Liverpool's official website. "It's been a long time since this club won the league and we have to improve in the Premiership and give it a better go. "Since the takeover happened you can feel the optimism, you can feel the fans' excitement and the players and staff are no different - we are all looking to the future with great optimism." Liverpool finished third in the Premiership table this season and reached the UEFA Champions League final only to lose the title following a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan.
