17 January,2009 07:29 AM IST | | PA Sport
Liverpool are facing up to the threat of Rafael Benitez walking out on the club in 18 months after the Spaniard turned down a new contract after the owners refused his demands for complete control of transfers.
The club's two owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett insist they will find a solution to the stand-off but unless they cave in to his demands then Benitez could walk away, just as he did at previous club Valencia over exactly the same dispute.
Club insiders say as a result the Spaniard is demanding the sort of control over spending, wages and terms and conditions that would make him the most powerful manager in the world.
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Currently, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has control over spending. Benitez gives him a wish-list of players but his is the final call.
Benitez's current deal runs out in 18 months, and he told the Liverpool Echo: "The owners feel that the manager's decisions need to be subject to the chief executive."
He continued: "This is solely about being allowed to manage the club to the best of my abilities as I see them. I believe that this club has the potential to improve and I just want to be able to help this to happen."
