Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has defended the investment levels of the current regime and suggested fans should look to manager Rafael Benitez, rather than the club's owners, if the Reds are failing to progress.

Last weekend's 2-0 loss at Chelsea was the Reds' third defeat of the campaign - more than they suffered in the whole of last season - while they also lost against Fiorentina in the Champions League last week.

But Gillett has defended the record of himself and co-owner Tom Hicks in reports in The Timesand the Daily Telegraphand believes the pair have done more than their rivals to improve the financial footing of their club.

"We have invested more money than our competitors, in keeping with the history of the club," Gillett is quoted as telling a representative of the fans' group Spirit of Shankly prior to Liverpool's 6-1 win over Hull last week.

"In the last 18 months, we have invested £128m on top of what has come in. That means it should be getting better.

"Now if it's not getting better, it's not Gillett and Hicks, it's the manager, it's the scouting. You have to make sure you balance out your analysis.

"There was plenty of money, so if you have any complaints, take a look at the ins and outs."

Gillett also added that the €32million fee recouped from Xabi Alonso's move to Real Madrid "went straight back" into the club's transfer budget, which was already set at "£22-23m as part of our budgets".

Gillett added: "The club is in extraordinarily good financial condition. Far better than Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal.

"We have invested massively, we have put more money in than anyone other than Manchester City, with the craziness they have got."

One of Benitez's big money buys was midfielder Alberto Aquilani from Roma, who insists his injury woes are nearly behind him and blames his former club for his spate of problems.

The Italy international cost in the rgion of €20million but has yet to feature for the Reds since undergoing ankle surgery before his switch to England.

The 25-year-old saw his time at Roma blighted by a number of injuries and he feels the Serie A side's medical staff failed to look after his fitness properly.

Aquilani, who could be in line for his debut against Sunderland after the international break, is happy with how his treatment is going at Liverpool and is confident of finally overcoming his long-standing injury worries.

"They were always changing doctors over there and there was no continuity but I have already noticed a big difference here," Aquilani told the Daily Mail.

"From the outset they told me they would not try and rush me back because they did not want to risk a recurrence of the problem.

"I want to put all my injury worries behind me. After spending some time with Liverpool's medical team I feel I can do that now."