“We have some young players improving, and if they improve maybe we don’t need to bring anyone in. But clearly we need to bring in some quality players to take us a step forward.

“If we can keep the consistency of this year, then one or two players could make a massive difference. If we can keep Gerrard and Torres fit for most of the season, that will make a difference also.”

Benitez also expects young players such as David Ngog and Lucas Leiva to feature more prominently next season.

“Every year we try to improve the squad,” he said. “This squad now is much better than in the first year, so it makes it more difficult to improve.

“For example, we have Ngog who is a young player, has quality and talent, and if he keeps progressing then maybe he can be a solution in attack. But you never know, you can’t rush young players and their development, so maybe you have to bring other players in.”

And while mindful of the Champions League quota for homegrown players, Benitez believes quality and not nationality will again be the priority during the transfer window.

“We had the same problem this year,” he said. “We have two local players (Gerrard and Carragher) and we have youngsters Darby, Spearing, Kelly and Irwin, so we had young players we maybe didn’t use that much in the Champions League.

“Both the fans and the staff want good English players, but mainly good players. So if the good players are English, that is better.”

Both Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano are available for this evening’s visit to Upton Park, although Xabi Alonso misses out as he continues to nurse the ankle injury sustained in the red-card challenge by Newcastle United’s Joey Barton last Sunday.

However, the Spaniard is expected to be fit for next week’s trip to West Bromwich Albion.