Benitez wants Liverpool to challenge for the Premiership title

Benitez is targeting a second European Cup in three seasons with victory over AC Milan in Athens' Olympic Stadium.

"The final has to be just a stopping point on the way," said Benitez.

"We can improve and the team must be pro-active. We can improve by bringing in players with character and quality. We need to keep going forward."

Interview: Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez

Interview: Liverpool's George Gillett and Tom Hicks

Interview: Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry

After winning the Champions League two years ago, Benitez got rid of Vladimir Smicer, Igor Biscan and Milan Baros, while penalty hero Jerzy Dudek has been sidelined by the arrival of Jose Reina and is set to leave the club with striker Robbie Fowler this summer.

All our fans would say the trophy that manages most is the Premier League Rick Parry Liverpool chief executive

The Spaniard says he wants Liverpool to challenge for the Premiership title and is set to be handed a big transfer fund by American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

"A second Champions League final in three seasons shows what can be done but we want to achieve even more," added Benitez.

"This is going to be an important summer because we want to maintain our progress and keep going forward next season.

"Another European Cup would be very welcome but the aim is not just to win this trophy, it is to be stronger all round, so we can make a better challenge for the Premiership next season.

"I am happy with my players but we need to improve to challenge in the Premiership."

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Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said Liverpool's ultimate objective next season was to win the Premier League title.

"All our fans would say the trophy that manages most is the Premier League," Parry told BBC Sport.

"It's a long time since the league title was at Liverpool and we're acutely aware of that.

"There is an expectation and pressure among our fans to bring it back. That's not something that daunts us, but by any analysis we're not there yet."

And Liverpool owner Hicks insists he and Gillett will support Benitez in the transfer market.

Liverpool have recently been linked with moves for Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Athletico Madrid's Fernando Torres, along with a host of other players.

"I know we will make changes," Hicks told the Liverpool Echo newspaper. "I think Rafa will be a very busy man after Wednesday.

"Next year we want to contend for both the Premiership and Champions League. Actually, we want to challenge for all four competitions.

"In the Premiership, you need a depth of players and motivated players. There's no problem finding the motivation to beat Barcelona or Chelsea.

"We know we have to have more consistency."