LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks says his dispute with manager Rafa Benitez was blown out of proportion.
Benitez recently complained that Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. and Hicks, who owns the Dallas Stars and baseball’s Texas Rangers, have failed to back him in the transfer market. The American owners bought Liverpool in February.
"It’s been a big misunderstanding blown very much out of proportion," Hicks said Saturday. "George and I are happy to see that it has settled back down.
"We’ve a big game on Sunday against Bolton, a big game against Marseille and a big game with our neighbours to the east (Manchester United), and the main thing is the team is playing better."
The Reds trail leader Arsenal by six points in the Premier League. In the Champions League, Liverpool will likely need to win at Marseille on Dec. 11 to take the five-time winners into the knockout stage.
Before Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over FC Porto, about 2,000 Liverpool fans marched outside Anfield to support Benitez. Fearing the Spaniard could be fired, they also chanted his name inside the stadium.
"The fans are very passionate and that’s what we love about them," Hicks said.
One of Benitez’s complaints is the lack of contact with the owners. Gillett’s son Foster was at the Porto game but failed to offer his congratulations. On Friday, Benitez said it was "another misunderstanding."
Benitez will meet Hicks and Gillett on Dec. 16 when Manchester United visits Anfield.
"I guess we are absentee owners — there’s no question about it," Hicks said. "But Foster returned to Liverpool last week. He’s our day-to-day person to help facilitate communication, and we come as often as we can."
Hicks emphatically denied a British media report on Friday that suggested he was planning to sell his stake in Liverpool after just eight months.
"I am not selling any of my shares to anybody," he said. "I have no idea why anyone would think that. It was just rubbish."
Hicks also dismissed reports of a rift with Gillett.
"George and I have never been closer. We both were very disappointed and confused as to where that inaccurate information came from, Hicks said. "Owning Liverpool has been great, we’re still enjoying it."