Tom Hicks has revealed that he and George Gillett, his fellow co-owner at Liverpool, sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann about becoming the club’s next manager.

Hicks claims the talks would not have resulted in the immediate dismissal of Rafael Benitez, the current manager, but that approaching the German had been viewed as “an insurance policy”.

Klinsmann is no longer an option, however, as he has agreed to take charge of Bayern Munich, but the revelation casts further doubt on the future of Benitez, the man who led the club to Champions League glory in 2005.

“We attempted to negotiate an option as an insurance policy to have him [Klinsmann] become manager if Rafael left for Real Madrid or other clubs that were rumoured in the press,” Hicks said.

“Or in case our communication spiralled out of control for some reason.”

Benitez’s position at Anfield had appeared untenable earlier this season after he made remarks about the club’s American owners at a press conference, admitting his frustration an inability to make new signings and intimating that the pair did not understand the machinations of the transfer window. Benitez was then ordered to concentrate on training his players, which further infuriated the former Valancia manager.

However, an uneasy peace was declared after a clear-the-air meeting between the two sides following Liverpool’s defeat by Manchester United in December.

"We needed to clarify the situation and it was a very positive meeting," Benitez said at the time. "The conversation was very fluid because we were face to face, whereas it's more difficult over the phone or by e-mail. My English isn't always the best but having the chance to talk to them slowly and with time allowed us to analyse small problems. Now we can move forward."

Hicks tried to justify the approach of Klinsmann by insisting the move was in the past and relations were now quite amicable between the owners and Benitez.

“After George and I had our long and productive meeting with Rafa following the Manchester United match, we put all of our issues behind us and received Rafa’s commitment that he wanted to stay with Liverpool," he said.

“We never reached agreement on an option with Jurgen, and we are both pleased for him that he has a great opportunity to return to Germany and coach a great club team. Rafa has both of our support, and our communication has greatly improved."

Another view, however, is that with the revelations being made public over the owners’ approach for Klinsmann, Benitez’s days would appear to be numbered and makes even more crucial the outcome of tomorrow night’s FA Cup third round replay with Luton Town at Anfield. Defeat against the League One strugglers would surely spell the end for the man who took charge of the Merseyside club in June 2004.