Rafael Benítez outlined a tentative vision of a united Liverpool yesterday after claiming a minor victory in the civil war that has threatened to tear apart the club, but the manager is experienced enough to know that there will be more twists and turns in the Anfield soap opera.

After a week of “positive” discussions, during which Benítez used his newfound position of strength to ensure that the club’s summer transfer strategy is not irreparably damaged against a backdrop of infighting, the Spaniard dared to look towards next term, when he hopes to mount his most credible challenge for the league title yet.

Benítez held talks with Tom Hicks, the under-pressure Liverpool coowner, and the Texan’s son, Tom Jr, also a director, at the club’s Melwood training headquarters on Tuesday and Wednesday, when the manager outlined his transfer targets. Although George Gillett Jr, Hicks’s estranged business partner, and Rick Parry, the chief executive, did not attend either meeting, Benítez claimed that both were aware and approved of what had been discussed in the first visible attempt to bring the factions in the Liverpool boardroom together.

That remains a distant prospect, with Hicks keen to oust Parry, Gillett refusing to sell his 50 per cent stake to his fellow American and Parry and Benítez’s long-term relationship untenable, but while Benítez cannot control the ownership saga as Dubai International Capital (DIC) continues to circle, he is determined to ensure that his plans for next season are not allowed to go awry through no fault of his.

Questions remain as to whether Benítez will be at the club next season, but as long as he remains in charge, the Spaniard is focusing on the job in hand and made his first breakthrough in the transfer market this week after reaching a pre-contract agreement with Borussia Dortmund for Philipp Degen. The Switzerland right back, who is out of contract at the German club at the end of the season, will move to Anfield on July 1 on a free transfer.

“We [Hicks and Benitez] have had a very positive meeting,” the manager said. “We talked about how to progress in the future. We need to work together and he agreed with me that we must talk together. If we want to go forward and sign players, we have to all work together.

“Everything is positive. Rick Parry will be working, too, and if everyone works hard and we work together, it will be easier.”

Liverpool are away to Birmingham City tomorrow before the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge four days later against Chelsea, against whom they were held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield this week, but Benítez is also looking ahead. The manager believes that he will need “four or five” players in the summer, with Degen’s arrival likely to raise doubts about Steve Finnan’s future at the club. John Arne Riise, whose own goal in the 95th minute gave Chelsea an invaluable draw, is another whose future is uncertain, although, with Fábio Aurélio ruled out for three weeks with a torn abductor muscle, the Norwegian is likely to be pressed into action against Birmingham.