Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has again angered the club's American owners. The Times says having finally been given encouragement last week to believe that Tom Hicks and George Gillett would agree to discuss a new contract, Benitez, who has repeatedly been asked about his future in recent months, confirmed in an interview with the Liverpool Echo that "they gave me their word" and that he expected talks to start some time this week.

The conciliatory message had come from Hicks, but he and Gillett were frustrated that it was broadcast to the media so quickly, increasing their feeling that they are being forced into a corner by Benitez.

Preliminary discussions between Rick Parry, the chief executive, and Benítez's agent, Manuel García Quilón, are due to take place in the coming days, but, with the parties likely to be far apart on the size and length of any contract, it may be that Liverpool are under new ownership by the time the matter is resolved.