Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett face a fresh crisis that could see several stars exit Anfield in support of Rafa Benitez.
Despite an 85th minute goal from Dirk Kuyt clinching a dramatic 3-2 win for Liverpool against Wigan yesterday, storm clouds are gathering over Anfield.
Champions League-winning boss Benitez has still heard nothing from the club's controversial American owners over an extension to a contract that was promised to him last April.
Benitez has only 18 months of his current deal to run and insists there has been no talks aimed at him staying longer.
But if he does go, he is unlikely to be walking alone - for the lack of encouragement from Hicks and Gillett has put many of the squad on red alert.
Even the long-term future of Fernando Torres, who, like all of the Spanish contingent at Anfield, joined the club because of Benitez, could be in doubt.
The manager insists that £21million record buy Torres is "unbuyable", but although he is only 18 months through a sixyear contract, he will be deeply concerned that Benitez has currently been left high and dry.
Yesterday's hero Kuyt, one of the manager's favourite signings, has 18 months on his current deal to run while Daniel Agger is pressing for an extension and a pay rise.
They are in the same position as the Kop boss - no approaches have been made to them and, like several others, they would be unlikely to commit to new deals until they discover what the future holds for the man who signed them.
Hicks and Gillett are at war with each other as they search desperately for ways to beat the world credit crunch, or sell out - which means much future planning has been put on hold.
The global financial depression forced the Americans into stopping work on their £400m plans for a 73,000- seater new stadium as they struggle to pay back the £435m they borrowed to buy the club, with interest costing them £30m a year.
Yet that threatens to be only the start of their problems - they would face an Anfield riot if Benitez does not get that extra year and heads out, with his top players following.
Benitez insisted: "I will not allow the situation to disturb my concentration because we have a lot of very important games coming up.
"But I have not heard anything about a new contract." The longer Liverpool's hierarchy keep Benitez in the dark about his future, the greater the risk that European Championshipwinning striker Torres will grow unsettled.
He was the subject of a £78m transfer deadline day bid by Manchester City, whose Arab owners say they will be back.
Spanish superstar Torres has repeatedly credited Benitez for convincing him to move to Merseyside and spurn Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona.
But, like Kuyt and Agger, who are already concerned that there has been no approach from the club to secure their futures, he will be watching developments - or the lack of them - with keen interest.
Dubai International Capital remain in the wings ready to replace Hicks and Gillett, but they want at least their money back to sell out.
Sheikh Maktoum and his group of fabulously wealthy co-investors refuse to meet their asking price - leaving Benitez, and the likes of Torres, Agger, Kuyt in the dark and in danger of being forced to quit the Kop.
And, furthermore, the Liverpool manager is well aware that his bosses plotted to replace him with Jurgen Klinsmann just over a year ago.
Despite an 85th minute goal from Dirk Kuyt clinching a dramatic 3-2 win for Liverpool against Wigan yesterday, storm clouds are gathering over Anfield.
Champions League-winning boss Benitez has still heard nothing from the club's controversial American owners over an extension to a contract that was promised to him last April.
Benitez has only 18 months of his current deal to run and insists there has been no talks aimed at him staying longer.
But if he does go, he is unlikely to be walking alone - for the lack of encouragement from Hicks and Gillett has put many of the squad on red alert.
Even the long-term future of Fernando Torres, who, like all of the Spanish contingent at Anfield, joined the club because of Benitez, could be in doubt.
The manager insists that £21million record buy Torres is "unbuyable", but although he is only 18 months through a sixyear contract, he will be deeply concerned that Benitez has currently been left high and dry.
Yesterday's hero Kuyt, one of the manager's favourite signings, has 18 months on his current deal to run while Daniel Agger is pressing for an extension and a pay rise.
They are in the same position as the Kop boss - no approaches have been made to them and, like several others, they would be unlikely to commit to new deals until they discover what the future holds for the man who signed them.
Hicks and Gillett are at war with each other as they search desperately for ways to beat the world credit crunch, or sell out - which means much future planning has been put on hold.
The global financial depression forced the Americans into stopping work on their £400m plans for a 73,000- seater new stadium as they struggle to pay back the £435m they borrowed to buy the club, with interest costing them £30m a year.
Yet that threatens to be only the start of their problems - they would face an Anfield riot if Benitez does not get that extra year and heads out, with his top players following.
Benitez insisted: "I will not allow the situation to disturb my concentration because we have a lot of very important games coming up.
"But I have not heard anything about a new contract." The longer Liverpool's hierarchy keep Benitez in the dark about his future, the greater the risk that European Championshipwinning striker Torres will grow unsettled.
He was the subject of a £78m transfer deadline day bid by Manchester City, whose Arab owners say they will be back.
Spanish superstar Torres has repeatedly credited Benitez for convincing him to move to Merseyside and spurn Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona.
But, like Kuyt and Agger, who are already concerned that there has been no approach from the club to secure their futures, he will be watching developments - or the lack of them - with keen interest.
Dubai International Capital remain in the wings ready to replace Hicks and Gillett, but they want at least their money back to sell out.
Sheikh Maktoum and his group of fabulously wealthy co-investors refuse to meet their asking price - leaving Benitez, and the likes of Torres, Agger, Kuyt in the dark and in danger of being forced to quit the Kop.
And, furthermore, the Liverpool manager is well aware that his bosses plotted to replace him with Jurgen Klinsmann just over a year ago.
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