Benitez: "You can see Newcastle, Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton spending money and having strong teams.
"It's not easy to be in the top four and be contenders, but because we have a young squad we can try again.
"Clearly it's more difficult here than in Spain because the top sides spend big, big money.
"This year we have improved a lot. We signed two or three really good players, and also players who've been good for the squad.
"But every year you must improve a lot because the other teams are doing the same."