Hicks: I knew Rafa would stay

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Benitez ended months of bitter wrangling over his future by signing a new contract on Wednesday night that will keep him at Anfield until 2014.

Internal politics had led to doubts about his position at the club but Hicks believes there was never a real possibility of him leaving and he told Sky Sports News: "I was never worried we would lose Rafa Benitez."

Hicks added: "These things are complicated. A five-year contract is complicated, so I'm just relieved we finally got it done.

"From the supporters' point of view, to have it done on top of such a great week on the pitch is great."

Hicks played down long-running reports that the delay was down to a power struggle - and in particular wrangling over transfer policy.

"That was in the media but it was never really true," he said.

"I sat down with Rafa a couple of months ago and he made it very clear that he knows a manager can't have control over transfer budget.

"He has had his frustrations over the last five years and those are well chronicled but he will make the recommendations about which players we sign and the new CEO, the owners and the board will make the final financial commitment. And that is the way it needs to be."

The American is happy with the Reds' improvement in the Premier League and added: "We have a chance to catch Manchester United. It's not a great chance, but it's a chance."