Manchester City real threat to top four - Rafa Benitez
RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Manchester City now pose a major threat to Liverpool's top-four aspirations.
And the Anfield manager accepts the grand designs of City's new investors could make his quest to end Liverpool's long wait for the championship even more difficult.
Benitez reckons the capture of Robinho for a British record transfer fee of £32.5million may have set in motion a chain of events that will threaten the accepted 'big four' of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
"You cannot just win the title by spending money but Chelsea won for two years spending big, big money. Afterwards Manchester United won spending lots of money too," said the Spaniard.
"If we are talking about spending money then maybe Manchester City will win the title this year.
"It is not just a question of money but if you have more money it is easier. If you don't have too much money, you must do the job as best you can.
"If we are talking now, maybe they (City) need time but if we talk in January maybe they will buy five players, then you never know.
"But it is not just a question of 'I will invest more and I will win'. You cannot guarantee anything."
Benitez added: "We are here to win every trophy, but now we have United, Chelsea and City spending big, big money.
"Also this year, Aston Villa, and then you've got the quality of Arsenal.
"Our supporters need to know that we are always doing our best, but it cannot be a case of 'oh you've spent £20m so you should win'.
"People need to understand that it is not easy to win the title, so it is important to support the team and take the pressure away."
One consequence of the City takeover Benitez can see taking immediate effect is a hike in transfer fees involving English clubs.
A similar thing happened when Roman Abramovich took over at Chelsea as the billionaire flooded the market with cash - and early talk of a City bid in excess of £120m for Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely to prevent history repeating itself this time.
"Prices could rise," said Benitez.
"That could be a problem. You cannot change these things but you try and get the players you want as cheap as possible, even when prices go higher," he added"
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