Rafael Benitez has urged Liverpool's warring parties to "work together" for the benefit of the club.
The Liverpool manager, who is in a position of strength while the ownership battle continues, warned his employers of the dangers of missing out on their summer transfer targets.
Benitez outlined what is needed for the club to progress in an important meeting with Tom Hicks, the co-owner, and his son Tom Jr, a director, at the club's Melwood training complex yesterday.
Hicks' fellow owner, George Gillett Jr, has also been made aware of the manager's position. Benitez knows that, in the current climate, neither Hicks nor Gillett will dare risk losing his support. It helps the manager that Dubai International Capital, who are still trying to buy into the club, have made it clear that Benitez has their support, too.
Benitez has drawn up a transfer wish list that reportedly includes Gareth Barry and David Bentley. "We have two owners and a chief executive," he said. "I need to progress, I have a responsibility as manager to prepare the squad for the future, to improve the squad.
"I had to talk to them [the owners]. It was a good, positive meeting. We have talked about targets in the transfer market and how this club must progress.
"I have not spoken to them about the ongoing situation, only how to improve and how to progress. It is important to sign the right players for the future, that was what I wanted to talk about.
"Now we have started to progress with some of our targets. It is okay, last week and this week it is the same. We are progressing so I believe we will be stronger next season. You need to keep going if you want to improve, that is what is really important."
Benitez was put in an uncomfortable position recently when Hicks attempted to use him as an ally against Gillett and Rick Parry, the chief executive. But the Spaniard has tried hard to limit his contact with Hicks to discussions on transfers.
Benitez added: "We need to work together, and he [Hicks] agreed with me that we must talk together. If we want to go forward and sign players, we have to all work together. Everything is positive. We have talked about targets to sign, that is my aim.
"I do not doubt we will achieve those targets. I have a scouting department that is working and progressing. Now I have told the owners how we need to progress.
"Rick Parry will be working too, and if everyone works hard and we work together, it will be easier. Clearly I expect agreement on recruiting players for the summer. We are ready now for going forward.
"Now we have had a meeting, we are in a better position. George knows about what was said, everybody knows. Everyone has the same information."
The Liverpool manager, who is in a position of strength while the ownership battle continues, warned his employers of the dangers of missing out on their summer transfer targets.
Benitez outlined what is needed for the club to progress in an important meeting with Tom Hicks, the co-owner, and his son Tom Jr, a director, at the club's Melwood training complex yesterday.
Hicks' fellow owner, George Gillett Jr, has also been made aware of the manager's position. Benitez knows that, in the current climate, neither Hicks nor Gillett will dare risk losing his support. It helps the manager that Dubai International Capital, who are still trying to buy into the club, have made it clear that Benitez has their support, too.
Benitez has drawn up a transfer wish list that reportedly includes Gareth Barry and David Bentley. "We have two owners and a chief executive," he said. "I need to progress, I have a responsibility as manager to prepare the squad for the future, to improve the squad.
"I had to talk to them [the owners]. It was a good, positive meeting. We have talked about targets in the transfer market and how this club must progress.
"I have not spoken to them about the ongoing situation, only how to improve and how to progress. It is important to sign the right players for the future, that was what I wanted to talk about.
"Now we have started to progress with some of our targets. It is okay, last week and this week it is the same. We are progressing so I believe we will be stronger next season. You need to keep going if you want to improve, that is what is really important."
Benitez was put in an uncomfortable position recently when Hicks attempted to use him as an ally against Gillett and Rick Parry, the chief executive. But the Spaniard has tried hard to limit his contact with Hicks to discussions on transfers.
Benitez added: "We need to work together, and he [Hicks] agreed with me that we must talk together. If we want to go forward and sign players, we have to all work together. Everything is positive. We have talked about targets to sign, that is my aim.
"I do not doubt we will achieve those targets. I have a scouting department that is working and progressing. Now I have told the owners how we need to progress.
"Rick Parry will be working too, and if everyone works hard and we work together, it will be easier. Clearly I expect agreement on recruiting players for the summer. We are ready now for going forward.
"Now we have had a meeting, we are in a better position. George knows about what was said, everybody knows. Everyone has the same information."
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