The dust is now settling after Liverpool officials declared a ceasefire on Friday, ending weeks of uncertainty over the club's future. American sports moguls Tom Hicks and George Gillett will remain Liverpool's owners following the approval of a new refinancing package, which allowed them to unveil plans for a new $600 million stadium at Stanley Park. Hicks also made nice with Manager Rafael Benitez, with whom he's had a particularly tumultuous relationship. The American drew Rafa's ire when he made the club's active courtship of Juergen Klinsmann public.
"Rafa is under contract for two more seasons following this season," Hicks told reporters. "I am solidly behind Rafa and am confident of the team's competitive prospects under his continuing leadership." SportingLife says that Rafa's support is crucial for the Americans, who've grown increasingly unpopular among the Anfield faithful in recent weeks. His future will now be decided by results rather than politics.
Benitez, meanwhile, used the olive branch as an opportunity to discuss the future of holding midfielders Mohammed Sissoko and Javier Mascherano. He said Sissoko would be on his way to Juventus for $18 million, while Mascherano's move to Anfield would be made permanent for around $34 million. Striker Peter Crouch now looks certain to stay following the six-week injury absence of Andriy Voronin.
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