Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been given the green light by the club's American owners to draw up a list of superstar targets to bring to Anfield next summer.

Fresh from securing the biggest commercial sponsorship deal in the club's history with Standard Chartered Bank, the Reds' managing director Christian Purslow has promised Benitez 'hugely enhanced' support in the transfer market.

The four-year deal, reported to be worth £80million, will provide the former Valencia boss with the funds necessary to compete with the big-boys of European football.

It will leave Reds fans dreaming of capturing long-term targets David Silva and David Villa, as well as giving them renewed hope that the club will finally be able to compete for the likes of Franck Ribery and Sergio Aguero.

"From next summer, one of our key [income] lines, the revenue line, will be substantially increased as a function of this commercial agreement, so a normal ratio of that will go to the wage bill and my ability to support Rafa in the transfer market will be hugely enhanced," Purslow confirmed to skysports.com.

"We want to be the best football team in the world and there is a pretty clear link between that and having the best performance off the field."

Many fans have criticised the the club's spending during the summer, despite bringing in both Alberto Aquilani and Glen Johnson in big-money deals.

The £30million sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid and players such as Sebastian Leto, Alvaro Arbeloa and Robbie Keane in January, meant Benitez's net spend was almost equal to the amount received in transfer fees.

Benitez will now be delighted with Purslow's backing after a bitter dispute with former chief executive Rick Parry and concerns over the club's transfer budget nearly forced the Spaniard to quit the club last year.