Benitez rebuilds bridges

Rafael Benitez attempted to draw a line yesterday under the dispute that jeopardised his Liverpool career when he insisted his row with the club's owners was in the past and could not erupt again. It is an assessment, however, that the Liverpool manager is yet to have endorsed by George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

Benitez has received positive feedback from the Americans over his concerted attempts to douse their public rift since Wednesday's important Champions League victory over Porto, though only through Rick Parry. The Liverpool chief executive is still acting as an intermediary between the manager and owners eight days after the Spaniard reacted furiously to transfer restrictions imposed on him and, despite his recent conciliatory tone, has not received personal assurances from Hicks and Gillett that their relationship has been repaired.

Foster Gillett, George's son and a Liverpool director, arrived on Merseyside before the Porto game and will act as an important conduit within the Anfield hierarchy before the owners come over for the Manchester United game on December 16th. His presence, believes Benitez, will help ensure there is no repeat of "the misunderstanding" that occurred over transfer policy although - with the playing staff given Thursday off and the Liverpool manager preparing for tomorrow's visit of Bolton - they have been unable to schedule a meeting thus far.

"It is easier to talk when Foster is here but I haven't spoken to him yet," said Benitez. "As I said after the Porto game, I don't have any personal problems with the owners so, if we can start talking again, then I don't think the same problems will happen again and we can put the misunderstanding behind us. When Foster is around it is much easier. If I can talk with him I will, but I have had a meeting with Rick Parry about the situation."

Liverpool, meanwhile, have distanced themselves from claims that co-owner Tom Hicks is considering selling his stake in the club.

Sources close to the American millionaire say he was made aware of speculation growing about a rift with co-owner George Gillett, and suggestions that he would be selling up, several days ago.

It is believed that in conversations earlier this week Hicks was angered by the suggestions and denied them to key figures at Anfield.

Hicks and Gillett are believed to be on the brink of sealing finances to build their revamped €560 million new stadium in Stanley Park.

In the current tough financial market that has taken them some time and they have found world banks reluctant to loan cash for such a major scheme.

And in the midst of this, the row with Benitez over transfer policy has also sprung up, with the prospect at one stage that the Spaniard's public insubordination could cost him his job.

Benitez also responded to claims from Manchester City's owner Thaksin Shinawatra that his club may target Peter Crouch in the January window by insisting the England forward was not for sale.

Crouch has 18 months of his current contract still to run, and there is a growing fear at Anfield he may see out that deal without signing a new one and be able to leave for nothing.

Benitez, who may well use Crouch from the start on Sunday at home to Bolton, has made it clear he has not been offered a new deal yet, and the player has not intimated that he would reject such an offer.

"Peter knows how to win a new contract. He has to work really hard, play very well and score a lot of goals. So he has a chance to win a new contract because he can do all of this," said Benitez.

"For now, though, we have to win a lot of games and then we will talk about his future later on. He does not play every game, but now with two games every week for some while he will get his chances to impress."