Tom Hicks, the controversial Liverpool co-owner, has held talks with Rafael Benítez about a possible summer transfer strategy as he battles to ride the storm that continues to rage around the club. The two met on Tuesday morning and again yesterday, with Hicks promising to support Benítez in his pursuit of potential reinforcements such as Gareth Barry, the Aston Villa captain.
Whether Hicks will continue to call the shots at Anfield beyond the end of the season remains unclear, with Dubai International Capital (DIC) still confident that it will effectively take control by buying George Gillett Jr's 50 per cent stake at the end of May. But Hicks, who maintains that DIC's ambitions will not be realised, continues to talk and act like a man who believes that he will be running the club for both the short and the long term.
Hicks made a rare appearance at Anfield on Tuesday night as Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final, first leg, having spoken to Benítez at Melwood, the training ground, earlier. The Texan and his son, Tom Jr, a fellow director, returned to Melwood yesterday morning, when they held further conversations with Benítez, listening to his well-documented frustrations and discussing potential transfer targets and how any such moves would be financed.
“We had a great meeting,” Hicks said before yesterday's second discussion. “We talked about a lot of things and it was very positive and encouraging. We have agreed to meet again and it is a very healthy situation. Rafa is happy and wants to talk about where he is taking the club.”
There were claims from some sources that Benítez had told Hicks that he was unwilling to discuss anything of significance unless Gillett, the Texan's estranged co-owner, and Rick Parry, the chief executive, were in attendance. But Hicks said: “I am surprised if anyone else is saying different. We plan to all get together and discuss the future and Rafa is happy with that.”
Those words hinted at a breakthrough of sorts, but there are no other signs that a peace summit is in prospect. Gillett remains determined to sell his 50 per cent stake to DIC in the belief that, despite Hicks's fierce objections, it will be able to buy at the end of May, at the expiry of a 90-day exclusivity period offering Hicks first option on his partner's shares. Hicks, who has also caused consternation by demanding the resignation of Parry, maintains that no such clause exists in the share document and that DIC - which sent Sameer al-Ansari, its chief executive, and Amanda Staveley, the chief negotiator, to Anfield on Tuesday - will not get a single share in the club.
Benítez, meanwhile, has a list of potential summer targets, including Barry, the England midfield player, whose arrival would cast serious doubts about the future of Xabi Alonso at Anfield. Other targets include a right back, at least one winger and several promising young players.
Villa are determined not to lose Barry, their most influential player, and are preparing to offer a significant improvement on his £42,000-a-week contract. “If players are doing really well and deserving of new contracts or renegotiated deals, I have not got a problem with that,” Martin O'Neill, the Villa manager, said yesterday.
Whether Hicks will continue to call the shots at Anfield beyond the end of the season remains unclear, with Dubai International Capital (DIC) still confident that it will effectively take control by buying George Gillett Jr's 50 per cent stake at the end of May. But Hicks, who maintains that DIC's ambitions will not be realised, continues to talk and act like a man who believes that he will be running the club for both the short and the long term.
Hicks made a rare appearance at Anfield on Tuesday night as Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final, first leg, having spoken to Benítez at Melwood, the training ground, earlier. The Texan and his son, Tom Jr, a fellow director, returned to Melwood yesterday morning, when they held further conversations with Benítez, listening to his well-documented frustrations and discussing potential transfer targets and how any such moves would be financed.
“We had a great meeting,” Hicks said before yesterday's second discussion. “We talked about a lot of things and it was very positive and encouraging. We have agreed to meet again and it is a very healthy situation. Rafa is happy and wants to talk about where he is taking the club.”
There were claims from some sources that Benítez had told Hicks that he was unwilling to discuss anything of significance unless Gillett, the Texan's estranged co-owner, and Rick Parry, the chief executive, were in attendance. But Hicks said: “I am surprised if anyone else is saying different. We plan to all get together and discuss the future and Rafa is happy with that.”
Those words hinted at a breakthrough of sorts, but there are no other signs that a peace summit is in prospect. Gillett remains determined to sell his 50 per cent stake to DIC in the belief that, despite Hicks's fierce objections, it will be able to buy at the end of May, at the expiry of a 90-day exclusivity period offering Hicks first option on his partner's shares. Hicks, who has also caused consternation by demanding the resignation of Parry, maintains that no such clause exists in the share document and that DIC - which sent Sameer al-Ansari, its chief executive, and Amanda Staveley, the chief negotiator, to Anfield on Tuesday - will not get a single share in the club.
Benítez, meanwhile, has a list of potential summer targets, including Barry, the England midfield player, whose arrival would cast serious doubts about the future of Xabi Alonso at Anfield. Other targets include a right back, at least one winger and several promising young players.
Villa are determined not to lose Barry, their most influential player, and are preparing to offer a significant improvement on his £42,000-a-week contract. “If players are doing really well and deserving of new contracts or renegotiated deals, I have not got a problem with that,” Martin O'Neill, the Villa manager, said yesterday.
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