Sunday 1 October 2017 18:00, UK
Rafael Benitez says the number of cash-rich Premier League clubs makes it more difficult than ever for Liverpool to recapture the glory days.
Newcastle boss Benitez entertains his former side when Liverpool visit St James' Park as part of a Super Sunday double-header on Sky Sports Premier League, which also sees Everton in action against Burnley.
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.
Benitez said: "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."
Benitez left Liverpool three-and-a-half years after previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett took charge of the club, following a poor season where the Reds finished seventh in the league.
He added: "In the days when David Moores and Rick Parry were in charge, it was really, really good. They were people who really understood football. They could really understand the fans and the manager and the players.
"Unfortunately, that board didn't have the money to compete against the top sides and he (Moores) had to sell.
"In terms of the way they were running the club, it was like a family, very close. I was quite confident. Then everything changed, they changed directors and owners and ran it more as a business rather than a football club.
"The team was improving but other teams came in with so much money and it was impossible."
