Champions League Follow-up: Liverpool's chairman, David Moores, has reiterated his intention to remain at Anfield and, his enthusiasm reinvigorated by the capture of the European Cup after two "difficult years", is convinced the club will challenge for the Premiership under Rafael Benitez.

Moores had come under increasing pressure, notably from the club's third-largest shareholder, Steve Morgan, to reduce his 51.6 per cent shareholding after two years of underachievement.

"It has not been easy and the last couple of years have not been nice, so there have been times when I have been low," said Moores, whose rise to the chairmanship coincided with the end of Liverpool's dominance of the domestic game in 1991.

"It has been difficult, but you battle on. The pressure was enormous at times and I did consider my position. But while I have the support of the grass-roots fans I will carry on."

Liverpool continue to search for new investment through their financial advisers, Hawkpoint Partners Ltd, though they have yet to uncover an offer matching their valuation of the club.

Morgan dropped his interest at the start of the season and was hugely critical of the board at December's agm. Yet, for all that a fifth European Cup has generated significant revenue, the club still require an injection to part-fund a new stadium and add to Benitez's transfer options.

The Spaniard has about £25 million to spend as it is, though he has learned such an amount limits choice in the British market. He has added Shaun Wright-Phillips to his wish-list but, given the price would be at least £15 million, he has targeted Real Zaragoza's winger Luciano Galletti, who would cost only £3 million.

The chairman still believes Benitez will uncover jewels in the market to secure Liverpool's first Premiership title since 1990.

"Wednesday was the pinnacle; it topped everything, and the European Cup is the one you want," he said.

"Yes, there is the Premiership. But we will win the Premiership too. Rafa is the man to do that. We have heard about 'The Special One' (Jose Mourinho) this season, but what about Rafa? He must be a magician. He is a master tactician and the thing about him is he has a feel for the club."

The pressure rose further on Uefa yesterday to include Liverpool in the Champions League next season after G14, the group of elite European clubs, called for Wednesday's winners to be allowed to defend the trophy.

Liverpool are one of the group's founder members and a G14 spokesman said: "The matter will be raised at our meeting on June 9th. We believe Uefa should look at ways of allowing this to happen."

G14 will then make a formal approach to Uefa, whose 15-man executive committee will make a decision at its meeting in Manchester on June 17th.