Owners put Benitez's future in doubt

Liverpool's owners have delayed discussing transfer targets with manager Rafel Benitez, raising questions about the Spaniard's future.

American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett say they will not begin plotting their January transfer window activity until mid-December.

Liverpool are still unbeaten in the Premier League and they enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win at Newcastle on Saturday.

But the club is struggling in the Champions League and could be knocked out of the competition by the time Hicks and Gillett return to England for the game against Manchester United on December 16.

Reports have claimed the relationship between Benitez and the Americans has broken down and he could soon leave Anfield.

In a joint statement, Hicks and Gillett said: "Despite speculation in the newspapers, there is nothing new to say."

They added: "We had a good win and have got some very important games coming up starting with Porto on Wednesday, followed by Bolton and Reading, before Marseille and Manchester United in a few weeks.

"Both of us, together with chief executive Rick Parry, plan to meet with Rafa when we come over mid-December to make decisions on the team's requirements at that time."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.