Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan has hit out at Liverpool's American owners.
"What so-called businessmen, who are supposed to know about etiquette, are saying publicly in interviews should be said in the boardroom between individuals.
"I'd like to think that's the way it works at Newcastle. People always try to shoot holes in you but they can only shoot holes if you leave the gaps.
"What I see - and I have my own opinion - is a guy in Hicks trying to get someone so riled that they'll buy him out for more money. That's what I see.
"I might be wrong, but if that's not the case then why don't they just get together in a room and work a way through it?"
