Liverpool owners to provide Rafael Benitez with £12 million in transfer funds

Who retains spending power at Anfield has been a topic of contention in recent years but with the side having already suffered three defeats this season - one more than last term in its entirety - it looks like co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks will provide Benitez will the necessary funds for improvement. According to the Mail, the Spaniard has already earmarked Lazio striker Goran Pandev as a potential new partner for Fernando Torres and following recent comments made by Gillett, any signings completed in January will have to prove fruitful as speculation over Benitez's future remains rife.  Related ArticlesBenítez has support of Liverpool co-ownersGillett: Benítez to blame for Liverpool failingsGillett's criticism of Rafa Benitez is another PR own goalJamie Carragher knows it's crunch timeAquilani to make Liverpool debut next weekMichael Owen: United are biggest club in worldEarlier this week when asked about Liverpool's start to the season, Gillett said: "In the last 18 months, we have invested £128m, on top of what has come in. That means it should be getting better. If it is not getting better, it's not Gillett and Hicks. It's the manager, it's the scouting."Meanwhile, Benitez will no doubt welcome news that £20 million summer newcomer Alberto Aquilani could make his long-awaited debut later this month. The 25-year-old former Roma midfielder arrived at Anfield in August having undergone surgery on an ankle injury and has yet to make an appearance. However, Benitez is optimistic the Italy international will soon be match fit after stepping up his rehabilitation. "I have been speaking to the doctors and things are going well with him," the manager told the Liverpool Echo. "Alberto is progressing all the time. It could be two to three weeks before he is back. But we need to use caution. We will take it one step at a time and we have the international break to look forward to now. "That will be good for him, as he will have some more time. He is running and swimming - I think he will have the record in the swimming pool by the end of his programme - and he is working in the gym. "He is doing almost everything and he is doing some things with the team. The only thing he is not doing is kick a ball - not yet any way." EmailPrint .at15t_email {display:none !important;}Share|tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/6267731/Liverpool-owners-to-provide-Rafael-Benitez-with-12-million-in-transfer-funds.html';tweetmeme_style = 'compact';tweetmeme_source = 'TelegraphNews';Email|Printhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/6267731/Liverpool-owners-to-provide-Rafael-Benitez-with-12-million-in-transfer-funds.htmlTelegraphNews Liverpool 

Source: Telegraph