Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have reacted to reports suggesting manager Rafael Benitez is facing the sack.
The Americans insist they expect to hold a scheduled meeting in mid-December with the present manager to discuss potential transfer deals for the January window.
However the statement stops short of categorically dismissing the speculation, which has been prompoted by a series of disagreements between the owners and Benitez over future transfers.
Benitez has been critical of the new owners' understanding of the workings of the European transfer market.
The statement, released last night, reads:
"Despite speculation in today's newspapers, there is nothing new to say.
"We had a good win yesterday and have got some very important games coming up starting with Porto on Wednesday, followed by Bolton and Reading, before Marseille and Manchester United in a few weeks.
"Both of us, together with Chief Executive Rick Parry, plan to meet with Rafa when we come over mid December to make decisions on the team's requirements at that time."
The behind the scenes disputes were brought sharply into the public domain when Benitez held a bizarre press conference ahead of the Newcastle match in which he repeatedly answered that he was concentrating on coaching the team in reply to a succession of questions.
Benitez showed no sign of backing down after the 3-0 win over Newcastle.
He said: "It's clear Mr Hicks wants the best for the club. So do I,"
"We have been here for a long time and we know what the passion of football means and what the transfer market in Europe means.
"It's not a draft system. We have free players available now. I'm not talking about players that cost money.
"We need to talk to the agents now, if not we will lose targets. In the summer, the players will be more expensive. I have not been talking about spending but doing the opposite. We have brought money back. We brought in £26m this year and you can see the value of the squad.
"We had a meeting on the day of the Arsenal game which was really positive. After this, something changed.
"They told me to be focused on coaching and training because Rick Parry will be looking after signing players."
Benitez is determined to stay put, and added: "I have passion for this club. The fans who were with me in Istanbul know what it means to me."
The Americans insist they expect to hold a scheduled meeting in mid-December with the present manager to discuss potential transfer deals for the January window.
However the statement stops short of categorically dismissing the speculation, which has been prompoted by a series of disagreements between the owners and Benitez over future transfers.
Benitez has been critical of the new owners' understanding of the workings of the European transfer market.
The statement, released last night, reads:
"Despite speculation in today's newspapers, there is nothing new to say.
"We had a good win yesterday and have got some very important games coming up starting with Porto on Wednesday, followed by Bolton and Reading, before Marseille and Manchester United in a few weeks.
"Both of us, together with Chief Executive Rick Parry, plan to meet with Rafa when we come over mid December to make decisions on the team's requirements at that time."
The behind the scenes disputes were brought sharply into the public domain when Benitez held a bizarre press conference ahead of the Newcastle match in which he repeatedly answered that he was concentrating on coaching the team in reply to a succession of questions.
Benitez showed no sign of backing down after the 3-0 win over Newcastle.
He said: "It's clear Mr Hicks wants the best for the club. So do I,"
"We have been here for a long time and we know what the passion of football means and what the transfer market in Europe means.
"It's not a draft system. We have free players available now. I'm not talking about players that cost money.
"We need to talk to the agents now, if not we will lose targets. In the summer, the players will be more expensive. I have not been talking about spending but doing the opposite. We have brought money back. We brought in £26m this year and you can see the value of the squad.
"We had a meeting on the day of the Arsenal game which was really positive. After this, something changed.
"They told me to be focused on coaching and training because Rick Parry will be looking after signing players."
Benitez is determined to stay put, and added: "I have passion for this club. The fans who were with me in Istanbul know what it means to me."
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