Liverpool owner backs Benitez

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2007

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) — Liverpool co-owner George Gillett insisted Monday that Rafael Benitez had his full backing to continue as manager of the English Premier League giants.

Benitez has become increasingly frustrated over what he fears may be a lack of funds to buy new players and tie down Javier Mascherano, currently on loan, to a permanent deal during the January transfer window.

And his mood would not have been helped by seeing his team slip to a 1-0 home defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United here on Sunday.

Spanish boss Benitez, whose side are now 10 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, claimed Gillett and fellow American co-owner Tom Hicks did not understand the European transfer market.

But Gillett, who together with Hicks had a...