A New Premier League Season But The Anfield Boardroom Saga Rages On at Liverpool

How much can one man take? Rafa Benitez has had to put up with so much rubbish from Tom Hicks and George Gillett that I really wouldn't be surprised if he just packed his bags and left. And if there is one way Hicks and Gillett want to make themselves more hated to Liverpool fans then it's to force Benitez out.

It all started so well. The duo gave Benitez their full backing, and then splashed out to bring Fernando Torres to the club. However, as we all know, things deteriorated last season.

Hicks and Gillett argued, then wouldn't talk to each other, but battled for control of a club caught in the crossfire of the turmoil between the two. Meanwhile Rafa Benitez had to focus his players attention to matters on the pitch, something he did exceptionally well.

Some weeks he even managed to get the press to write more about what was going on on the pitch, rather than off it. All the while, his future was apparently hanging in the balance.

The Americans seemed to think that Liverpool's under-performance in the League was somehow Benitez's fault. No, it wasn't. In fact, had it not been for him, we would have probably finished well outside the top four.

Finally the summer came, and the Anfield boardroom saga was replaced by the summer transfer sagas. Liverpool's focus switched to Gareth Barry, after Hicks and Gillett had reportedly made up.

And now, as the Premier League returns, as does Liverpool's well publicised problems off the pitch. This is unacceptable, especially for a team that always had a reputation for keeping their problems internal, and sorting them out behind closed doors.

Now, instead of owner vs owner, it seems to be owners vs Benitez, as he tries to coax £18m out of his two billionaire owners to buy Gareth Barry, four months after declaring his interest.

Now, if Gillett and Hicks had said from the start that there was a limit that they would have gone to, and it was less than £18m, then fair enough. But they actually told Benitez he could have the money to buy Barry, and then just days later went back on their word, saying he didn't have buy-back potential.

They said to spend £18m on a 27 year old would mean they wouldn't get their moneys worth. Yet they spent £20.3 million on Robbie Keane, who is older than Barry.

And now Benitez has had to come out and answer the press on behalf of the owners. Rick Parry insists there is no conflict, but Rafa has a right to feel aggrieved. The owners are messing him around, and I just hope he doesn't get forced out of the club by them.