Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has assured manager Rafa Benitez he will have backing to bid for Valencia pair David Villa and David Silva.

The Mirror says Texan tycoon Hicks is hoping to persuade his business partner George Gillett that the time has come to invest in the Anfield club in search of massive future profits.

Benitez was resigned to raising his own cash by selling players and has been looking in the bargain basement for signings.

But if he can offload the likes of Xabi Alonso, Peter Crouch and Scott Carson, he would need about another £20million to at least join the bidding for Villa and Silva.