Benitez hopes to capture targets before World Cup begins

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez wants his summer spending wrapped up before the World Cup starts.

Benitez readily admits attracting star players to Anfield will be far easier once Champions League football is confirmed for next season.

It has been virtually assured already, but victory at Ewood Park on Sunday in what will be a demanding examination by an equally-ambitious Blackburn side will finally clinch at least third spot.

That will guarantee around €13 million of Premiership placement prize money. A predicted straightforward Champions League third-round qualifying tie in August - with Liverpool sure to be top seeds - will ensure another €14.5m from UEFA's pot when they reach the group stages.

All that will be added to Benitez's already healthy transfer fund and give him the muscle to attract half a dozen new faces to Anfield.

Benitez has been linked with about 20 players in the past fortnight alone - from Raul to Ronaldo to Riggott, Darren Bent, Craig Bellamy, and a clutch of Spaniards and Argentinians.

But the Spaniard said: "I have not spoken to any player yet and I find it amazing to see so many names linked day after day."

However, Benitez confirmed he is working hard to settle deals quickly, adding: "We have been working from February 1, when the last transfer window closed, and it would be better to get who we want before the World Cup starts.

"I would like to sign players before the World Cup, if you can do that it may well be cheaper, and it would be better if players were here for pre-season training straight after the World Cup.

"We would hope to do things before the tournament, we have our targets, but if not then we will have to wait.

"There is not much you can learn from the World Cup you do not already know. And you do find that players there are really motivated for the World Cup but afterwards they may have used up all their energy and will not be as good again."

Benitez added: "It is important for the manager to be able to say to players they want to sign that they will be playing in the Champions League.

"The agents are clever, as are the players. They know what is important and we will be in a very good position to talk to players if we are able to say the Champions League is certain."

Liverpool still have an outside chance of finishing second, but Manchester United are unlikely to be caught.

"If we finish second it will be fantastic, but very difficult," Benitez added. "At the moment I am not thinking about statistics, only that we finish the season well."