Rafa's budget will stay

Rafa Benitez has claimed an early exit from the Champions League will not have any effect on his January transfer window spending budget. Benitez has confirmed the Merseysiders have a transfer budget in place for the coming years.

Despite the prospect of missing out on £10million via qualification for the knock-out stages, Benitez has reportedly been promised £20million to spend in January.

"In my meeting with the Americans we talked about everything but not really the money for the Champions League," said Benitez.

"We have a plan. But the plan we have doesn't depend on this competition.

"I was surprised by the report that the owners were putting pressure on because they have been very supportive to me. That plan also extends beyond this season.

"When you prepare a plan in a club it's not for one year. The Americans are very pleased with the ideas we have for taking this club forward."