Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed the communications lines with the club's co-owner Tom Hicks have improved in recent weeks.

Benitez said: "Communication has been much better lately.

"We don't e-mail every day but before a game he will send me a positive message encouraging the team.

"He'll also send messages after the game. He's very, very supportive."

Asked whether it was time for fans to stop protesting against Hicks, Benitez added: "I cannot say anything to our fans in terms of what they must or must not do.

"What I can say is that my relationship with him is good."