£40m up front as Rafa's told to take on Big Two

George Gillett and Tom Hicks met the manager on Sunday and promised the unequivocal backing he feels is essential for overhauling Chelsea and Manchester United at the top of the Premiership.

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Benitez, preparing for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against PSV Eindhoven, could now spend more than £40million this summer after outlining a list of targets, headed by the likes of Samuel Eto'o and David Villa.

And he was assured he can sign as many as he wanted.

The American multi-millionaires also sanctioned contract talks with Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso that could also lead to a wage bill to rival Chelsea's.

"We talked about ideas for the future and it was a very good meeting," said Benitez. "Everything was positive and, though I can't talk about figures, the future looks brilliant."

Benitez was told there would be no limit on his spending power, in a clear message that Gillett and Hicks intend making Liverpool champions for the first time since 1990.

Benitez is armed with the funds to pursue Barcelona's unsettled marksman Eto'o, Valencia frontrunner Villa and even Charlton's Darren Bent, along with Sevilla wing back Daniel Alves.

The boss will also turn his attention to avoiding any threat of his most senior players taking advantage of new rules allowing the final two years of a contract to be bought out.

By agreeing lucrative terms for new five-year deals with the likes of Gerrard, who will break the £100,000 a week barrier, along with Carragher, Alonso and Javier Mascherano, he believes he can safeguard the nucleus of his team.

Liverpool suffered an injury scare last night when Craig Bellamy reported discomfort from a rib injury.

He was able to train but faces a late fitness test.

The club hope to move to a new £215m stadium in Stanley Park by the end of next year. Work will begin next month.