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Top four crucial for Benitez's windfall
LIVERPOOL must finish in the top four for their record £80million shirt sponsorship deal to kick in next season.
The agreement with Standard Chartered Bank – critical to the plans of Anfield manager Rafa Benitez – is worth £20m a season over the next four years.
But the full amount is only due if Liverpool claim a Champions League qualifying spot by finishing fourth. If they miss out, then the sponsor’s payments would be reduced accordingly.
It would be a blow for Benitez, promised the cash for team building, and another reason why Liverpool need to finish fourth. American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are confi dent a £100m investment will shortly be agreed with an interested party.