Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is too intelligent not to have drawn his own conclusions over the significance of the surprise visit of co-owner Tom Hicks to Anfield yesterday but he side-stepped questions over what implications it had for himself.
The American, who together with compatriot George Gillett has become a hate figure among a large section of fans, appeared in the directors' box shortly before yesterday's 2-0 victory over Bolton having made the club aware of his impending arrival just hours earlier.
That he should take in such a low-key match when there is a Merseyside derby at Anfield next Saturday raised a few issues, especially in the week when Benitez admitted he was flattered by the public courting from Juventus who want to make him their new coach in the summer.
Reports in Italy suggest the Turin club are set to send a delegation to Merseyside tomorrow to thrash out an agreement with Liverpool to release Benitez from his contract at the end of the season.
Whether Hicks' presence was coincidence or part of the preliminary stages of an exit strategy for the manager only the Texan knows.
One thing was for certain, however. He was not bringing a last-minute transfer window war chest for the Spaniard to spend to help Liverpool secure the Champions League football which is so vital to their future.
"If he is around I will see him. It is good to see him here. It is always positive," said Benitez when asked if Hicks had come for a meeting.
The Liverpool manager stressed that Hicks was not involved in the club's transfers in any way and his input was not required nor welcome.
"For us we are working hard on a daily basis with the managing director so it is not a big difference," added Benitez.
"We have a managing director and a chief scout and we are working together.
"We don't need more people deciding about any player."
A group of a hundred or so supporters staged a noisy protest against Hicks and Gillett's running of the club outside the ground after the match.
Reports today suggest the co-owners' search for outside investment will see them drop their asking price to around £100million for up to a 50% share.
Should they be successful that could see the beginning of the end of the Americans' tumultuous and controversial tenure at the club but, at the moment, that is still a long way off.
That he should take in such a low-key match when there is a Merseyside derby at Anfield next Saturday raised a few issues, especially in the week when Benitez admitted he was flattered by the public courting from Juventus who want to make him their new coach in the summer.
Reports in Italy suggest the Turin club are set to send a delegation to Merseyside tomorrow to thrash out an agreement with Liverpool to release Benitez from his contract at the end of the season.
Whether Hicks' presence was coincidence or part of the preliminary stages of an exit strategy for the manager only the Texan knows.
One thing was for certain, however. He was not bringing a last-minute transfer window war chest for the Spaniard to spend to help Liverpool secure the Champions League football which is so vital to their future.
"If he is around I will see him. It is good to see him here. It is always positive," said Benitez when asked if Hicks had come for a meeting.
The Liverpool manager stressed that Hicks was not involved in the club's transfers in any way and his input was not required nor welcome.
"For us we are working hard on a daily basis with the managing director so it is not a big difference," added Benitez.
"We have a managing director and a chief scout and we are working together.
"We don't need more people deciding about any player."
A group of a hundred or so supporters staged a noisy protest against Hicks and Gillett's running of the club outside the ground after the match.
Reports today suggest the co-owners' search for outside investment will see them drop their asking price to around £100million for up to a 50% share.
Should they be successful that could see the beginning of the end of the Americans' tumultuous and controversial tenure at the club but, at the moment, that is still a long way off.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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