Meeting could bring Anfield peace says Benitez

By Mike Collett

LIVERPOOL (Reuters) - Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said on Tuesday he hoped peace might break out in the open feud that has developed between the club's American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Benitez was speaking after his team drew 1-1 with Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield.

He told reporters that Hicks, who defiantly turned up to watch the match despite fears over his safety, had met him at the club's Melwood training ground earlier in the day.

"He came to say hello and to arrange a meeting between the owners and everyone else involved," Benitez said.

"I think it is a positive move. There is a chance that we may find some peace. There is a chance."

Hicks made a rare appearance at Anfield since angering Liverpool fans with his handling of the club's affairs after buying the Premier League outfit along with his now estranged partner Gillett for 219 million pounds in 2007.

He attended the match in the directors box alongside his son Tom jr and before kickoff joined in the singing of the club's anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone". Tom jr also waved a club scarf.

Hicks sat two rows in front of the club's chief executive Rick Parry, who the American slammed last week as being "a disaster" for the way he had handled the club's affairs and demanded his resignation. Parry has since said he has no intention of leaving unless the board decide he should go.