Benitez to discuss Anfield future

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez heads into a meeting with new chairman Martin Broughton this week which could well decide his future at the club.

A 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in their final home Premier League match of the season finally put paid to hopes of securing Champions League football next season, the first time they had missed out on Europe's elite club competition since they finished fifth in 2002-03.

"I will have a meeting with the chairman in a few days," said the Liverpool boss.

"I have four years of a contract [left] so we will see.

"The fans want to know (whether Benitez will be in charge next season) but I want to know what is going on next week against Hull.

"Always in the past two years, the manager here has been taking responsibility for everything.

"The reality is that if you compare with other teams in terms of money, power and the option you have in the market, so you can analyse carefully and then you have answers.

"The fans are very clever, they know what is going on. It is very clear that things are like this now and still we have to carry on going forward.

"Next season we have to do almost everything perfect and if we make one or two mistakes we don't have the possibility to react, so it is more difficult for us.

"We will prepare for the next game (at Hull) and then start thinking about things for the future."