ANFIELD IN CRISIS: Rafa refuses to make a decision on his Liverpool future as Parry pleads for talks

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Benitez has expressed his shock after learning that Parry was present when American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett met Jurgen Klinsmann in November.

Waiting game: Shocked Benitez will make a decision at the end of the season

The Spaniard is as close as he has ever been to quitting Liverpool but he is adamant he wants to target a second European Cup triumph before making any decisions.

The relationship between Parry and Benitez has been under strain for months, but now the chief executive is ready to meet the manager and explain that he only attended the infamous meeting with Klinsmann under instruction from the Americans.

Parry said: "I am more than happy to sit down and talk to Rafa about this."

Those close to the chief executive say he only attended the meeting in New York after being told to do so by Hicks and Gillett, and he was acutely aware of how unsettling it would be for the club if news of it leaked out - as it eventually did via Hicks.

Parry now wants to clear the air with Benitez. Meanwhile there have been reports that Hicks held a follow-up meeting with the former Germany manager at his holiday home in California. According to the Liverpool Echo, Parry was not present at the second meeting.

Furthermore, it is understood that Hicks has continued to maintain some links with Klinsmann's advisers.

The latest developments in the Anfield power struggle were sparked by Hicks' demand for Parry to resign last week - he has refused to do so as he has the backing of Gillett and former chairman David Moores.

Meetings: Parry took part in meetings with Klinsmann

There is widespread unhappiness that the row continues to deflect attention away from Liverpool's performance on the pitch - they are now close to securing the fourth Champions League slot for next season and are in the semi-finals of this season's competition, where they will face Chelsea.

Everyone at the club is also adamant that they do not want any in-fighting to overshadow tomorrow's memorial service to mark the 19th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Benitez and Parry will both be present along with all the players and around 3,000 fans to remember the 96 Liverpool supporters who were killed during a crush at Hillsborough in 1989.

Neither Hicks nor Gillett are expected to be there, and is still no sign of either co-owner giving way and agreeing a sell-out to the other, or to Dubai International Capital who continue to wait in the wings.