Parry And Thrust Wound Liverpool

Liverpool go into today’s FA Cup derby against Everton with Rick Parry’s position as their chief executive under threat again after a further deterioration in his relationship with co-owner Tom Hicks.

Last April, Parry survived an attempt by Hicks to oust him and for a while the issue seemed to settle down, but fresh discontent has surfaced. Hicks is due on Merseyside this week and has signalled that top of his agenda is talking to Rafael Benitez about the concerns that led Benitez to abandon talks about extending his contract.

It is thought Benitez will express reservations about Parry’s ability to conclude transfers – over which he is seeking total control – possibly adding to Hicks’s unhappiness.

Parry has been able to survive because of support from George Gillett, who, like Hicks, owns 50% of Liverpool, but Gillett is believed to be eager to sell his stake, whereas Hicks would like to stay on the board with a reduced shareholding. That would be disastrous for Parry but welcomed by Benitez, whose relations with Hicks are cordial.

While reports of a £500m buyout of Liverpool by Nasser Al Kharafi, a Kuwaiti billionaire, are premature, it is believed Hicks’s representatives have been sounding out potential investors about buying some of his stake and/or relieving Gillett of his 50%. Philip Nash, Liverpool’s finance director, has been in the Middle East this week to seek funding for the club’s proposed £350m new stadium, but the possibility of buying club shares has been discussed with would-be backers.

Hicks and Gillett, who bought Liverpool for £218m in 2007, have a £350m loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland, an extension to which expires in July, and the pair are under pressure to either sell out or acquire fresh finance before then. Al Kharafi, who was close to buying Liverpool last year, denies being in talks about a takeover but investing in the club or its new stadium has not been ruled out.

Benitez is refusing to be drawn on Liverpool’s ownership issues, repeating in his Friday press conference, “my concern is Everton”, but confirmed he is to meet Hicks and is thought to be open to restarting contract talks – providing there are signs he will get his way over transfers.

Today’s match will be the 21st FA Cup clash between Liverpool and Everton – on the 107th anniversary of the first – making it the most-played fixture in the 137-year-old competition. “It was disappointing not to beat Everton [in Monday’s league derby] and good we play them again so soon,” said Liverpool’s Sami Hyypia. Everton’s Phil Jagielka said: “Our game plan will be the same as Monday. When we haven’t got the ball we’ll look to make it difficult for them. The draw wasn’t kind. Liverpool away isn’t the kind of tie you’d pick on purpose but it wouldn’t be a big upset if we win.”