LIVERPOOL, England (AP) -Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and co-owner Tom Hicks have gone from daggers drawn to e-mail mentors.
Despite being embroiled in a debilitating spat toward the end of last year, the relationship has now soothed to the extent that - even after defeats - the Texan is offering support rather than firing off angry missives.
Intriguingly Benitez has no such correspondence with George Gillett Jr., who bought the storied club with Hicks last March, or his son Foster, who has been based in Liverpool.
That will add fuel to the widespread reports that Gillett is looking to sell his stake. Only Hicks was mentioned in media statements in January announcing plans for a new stadium and the refinancing of a loan used to purchase the club.
Hicks has told The Associated Press of plans to take a "more active role'' at Anfield.
After saying he had no contact with the Gilletts, Benitez told reporters Friday: "My relationship with Tom Hicks is good and I don't have any problems because I'm professional.''
The Spaniard's encouraging e-mails from Hicks started flowing after they held peace talks in December to draw a line under a row over player transfers.
"After (our December) meeting I had the support of Tom Hicks almost every week,'' Benitez said. "Not everyday but after a game and before a game.
"He says, 'Come on, well done, you can do it' - very positive. In reply, I say, 'Thank you.'''
There was even support after last weekend's 2-1 loss to modest Championship side Barnsley in the FA Cup, which led to renewed questions about Benitez's ability.
"After Barnsley he said, 'OK, come on, keep focussed now on the Champions League,''' Benitez recalled. "He's very supportive.''
It had the desired effect, with the Reds beating Inter Milan 2-0 in the first leg of the last-16 on Tuesday.
Now he needs the motivational effect to extend to the ailing Premier League campaign, with Champions League qualification now the priority.
Liverpool can't afford to slip-up against Middlesbrough on Saturday in its tussle for the fourth berth and Hicks pinged across another encouraging message, simply saying: "Come on.''
Liverpool is fifth, three points behind crosstown rival Everton with a game in hand.
Benitez is hesitant to attack fans for mounting ongoing protests against the American owners, with Hicks specifically targeted over his admission about approaching former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann as a possible replacement for Benitez.
