Liverpool tonight claimed today’s meeting between Rafael Benitez, chairman Martin Broughton and managing director Christian Purslow was “constructiveâ€.
The Spaniard was hoping to be given an idea of what transfer budget is likely to await him in the summer, although it is unlikely Broughton - as a non-executive director - has the authority to give definite assurances.
Benitez was hoping to get a better idea about what the future holds both for the club and himself personally at today’s meeting, although unless a buyer is found it seems improbable co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will invest any more money.
A Liverpool spokesman tonight said: “We are pleased that the first of what is intended to be a series of meetings took place today between the chairman, managing director and the manager. The meeting was constructive.
“The chairman shared his views about plans for the future of the club. There was an exchange of views on issues of concern to both the board and the manager which were either addressed or to be picked up in forthcoming meetings.â€
Meanwhile, Hicks is angry at the publication of comments from him which suggested it will take another two years to sell the club.
Reports today quoted the Texan as saying he and fellow American George Gillett had been owners for three years but would not be in charge for a total of five.
That was interpreted as him claiming it would take two years to sell the club he and Gillett bought back in 2007
However, it is understood Hicks has reacted angrily to the publication of the remarks, which he does not deny making but which were part of an interview with American magazine Sports Business Journal in late March.
The Texan has pointed out the comments were made before he and Gillett officially put the club up for sale last month.
He also clarified a quote in which he said he had paid a “terrible price†for ownership of the club - he claims that referred to his American-based sports interests in the form of Texas Rangers baseball team and Dallas Stars ice hockey franchise.
His request for balance and perspective is, however, unlikely to cut much ice with the majority of supporters who are keen to see the Americans’ reign come to a swift end.
That still seems some way off with the sale ongoing, with newly-appointed chairman Broughton overseeing the process.
Benitez has been linked with Juventus since January but the Italian club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League - similar to Liverpool - and their apparent waning interest in appointing the Spaniard makes leaving a difficult option.
But staying and having to work on a limited budget - especially when Benitez believes he needs four of five players to at least get the squad back into top-four contention - also presents difficulties.
The Spaniard was hoping to be given an idea of what transfer budget is likely to await him in the summer, although it is unlikely Broughton - as a non-executive director - has the authority to give definite assurances.
Benitez was hoping to get a better idea about what the future holds both for the club and himself personally at today’s meeting, although unless a buyer is found it seems improbable co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will invest any more money.
A Liverpool spokesman tonight said: “We are pleased that the first of what is intended to be a series of meetings took place today between the chairman, managing director and the manager. The meeting was constructive.
“The chairman shared his views about plans for the future of the club. There was an exchange of views on issues of concern to both the board and the manager which were either addressed or to be picked up in forthcoming meetings.â€
Meanwhile, Hicks is angry at the publication of comments from him which suggested it will take another two years to sell the club.
Reports today quoted the Texan as saying he and fellow American George Gillett had been owners for three years but would not be in charge for a total of five.
That was interpreted as him claiming it would take two years to sell the club he and Gillett bought back in 2007
However, it is understood Hicks has reacted angrily to the publication of the remarks, which he does not deny making but which were part of an interview with American magazine Sports Business Journal in late March.
The Texan has pointed out the comments were made before he and Gillett officially put the club up for sale last month.
He also clarified a quote in which he said he had paid a “terrible price†for ownership of the club - he claims that referred to his American-based sports interests in the form of Texas Rangers baseball team and Dallas Stars ice hockey franchise.
His request for balance and perspective is, however, unlikely to cut much ice with the majority of supporters who are keen to see the Americans’ reign come to a swift end.
That still seems some way off with the sale ongoing, with newly-appointed chairman Broughton overseeing the process.
Benitez has been linked with Juventus since January but the Italian club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League - similar to Liverpool - and their apparent waning interest in appointing the Spaniard makes leaving a difficult option.
But staying and having to work on a limited budget - especially when Benitez believes he needs four of five players to at least get the squad back into top-four contention - also presents difficulties.
