Liverpool's failure to offer Rafa Benitez a new contract is offering encouragement to rival clubs that Fernando Torres can be prised from Anfield.
Manchester City have been linked to a bid, following summer speculation that Chelsea also wanted Torres.
There hasn't been any hint from Torres or his advisers that he has any interest in a move. But there is concern among Liverpool's Spanish contingent that their manager's long-term future has not yet been secured.
Liverpool's fans also fear American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett may have to cash in on their most prized asset because of credit-crunch pressures and their failure to secure financing for the proposed new stadium at Stanley Park.
The Americans have to find about £20million every year just to service the £250m debts they took out to buy the club.
Sunday Mirror Sport reported last month that Liverpool had failed to deliver on Hicks's promise to hand Benitez (below) a new deal. In a strange twist to the saga, a source close to the Texan said all questions regarding the manager's future should now be directed to chief executive Rick Parry.
"Tom has asked me to pass back any enquiries regarding the manager to the club and Rick Parry," said the spokesman.
That represents a major U-turn on Hicks's stance earlier this year, when his call for Parry to step down from his position was backed up by the vow to extend Benitez's contract by a further 12 months.
One theory is that the Americans are now resigned to selling the club after months of fighting off interest from Dubai International Capital and want to leave Benitez's future in the hands of new owners.
But with Juventus now keeping tabs on Benitez's situation as the pressure on current coach Claudio Ranieri increases, which would be a major gamble to take.
It's a policy that also threatens to cause unrest in the dressing-room and undermine Liverpool's excellent start to the season.
Torres showed City last week what a reported £200,000-a-week salary would buy, scoring twice as the Reds came from 2-0 down to win at Eastlands.
City have since distanced themselves from claims in Spain that they made contact with Liverpool.
But agents claiming to be working on behalf of the Blues did make enquiries about Torres's availability - and were rebuffed by the player.
Yet while Benitez's future remains unclear it is likely that those clubs coveting Torres will not go away.
Manchester City have been linked to a bid, following summer speculation that Chelsea also wanted Torres.
There hasn't been any hint from Torres or his advisers that he has any interest in a move. But there is concern among Liverpool's Spanish contingent that their manager's long-term future has not yet been secured.
Liverpool's fans also fear American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett may have to cash in on their most prized asset because of credit-crunch pressures and their failure to secure financing for the proposed new stadium at Stanley Park.
The Americans have to find about £20million every year just to service the £250m debts they took out to buy the club.
Sunday Mirror Sport reported last month that Liverpool had failed to deliver on Hicks's promise to hand Benitez (below) a new deal. In a strange twist to the saga, a source close to the Texan said all questions regarding the manager's future should now be directed to chief executive Rick Parry.
"Tom has asked me to pass back any enquiries regarding the manager to the club and Rick Parry," said the spokesman.
That represents a major U-turn on Hicks's stance earlier this year, when his call for Parry to step down from his position was backed up by the vow to extend Benitez's contract by a further 12 months.
One theory is that the Americans are now resigned to selling the club after months of fighting off interest from Dubai International Capital and want to leave Benitez's future in the hands of new owners.
But with Juventus now keeping tabs on Benitez's situation as the pressure on current coach Claudio Ranieri increases, which would be a major gamble to take.
It's a policy that also threatens to cause unrest in the dressing-room and undermine Liverpool's excellent start to the season.
Torres showed City last week what a reported £200,000-a-week salary would buy, scoring twice as the Reds came from 2-0 down to win at Eastlands.
City have since distanced themselves from claims in Spain that they made contact with Liverpool.
But agents claiming to be working on behalf of the Blues did make enquiries about Torres's availability - and were rebuffed by the player.
Yet while Benitez's future remains unclear it is likely that those clubs coveting Torres will not go away.
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