Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has claimed that the number of cash-rich clubs in England and across Europe will make it increasingly difficult for the Reds to challenge for trophies.

The Spaniard came as close as anyone to returning Liverpool to the game's pinnacle, winning four trophies including the Champions League during his six-year tenure at Anfield in the 2000s.

Benitez, whose Newcastle United side host the Merseysiders on Sunday, told Sky Sports News: "When I arrived at Liverpool, the budget was £20m gross. When I left, it was £17m, but still people said I must win the title, I must compete. [Manchester] United had around £50m more every year, but people said I had to compete against them every year.

"After, there was Chelsea. At that time, it was Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. Now you have Manchester City and Tottenham, as well as PSG and the others. But it's always been similar. There are massive clubs with massive amounts of money and Liverpool were always a little bit behind.

"How can you win trophies? You have to create a good team with a great atmosphere and work hard and then you can get there. The reality is, the teams that have won the title, probably 90 per cent of the time, are the teams with the most money."

Liverpool's last trophy was the EFL Cup in 2012.