The one that pays the piper calls the tune - and if Liverpool owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett want to hear Rafa Benitez whistling 'Dixie', well, the Spaniard better put his lips together and blow. That the business world of football is changing is of no surprise to anybody however the speed of the change often catches traditionalists on the hop. For instance who would've predicted five years ago that the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, the cream of English football, would be under American and Russian ownership respectively - but it happened and with it has come a 'new' set of rules. The last ten days at Anfield have seen those 'new' rules enforced in a soap opera that would've put 'Brookside' to shame. When Benitez threw his pacifier out of the stroller over the possibility of being denied cash to finance January transfer targets, I'm sure he was thinking that the American duo would wipe it off and pop it back in his mouth. Instead, Hicks and Gillett decided that 'tough love' would be the order of the day. Rafa was put firmly in his place and if all reports are to be believed, the man who masterminded the 'Miracle in Istanbul' came dangerously close to losing his job after calling out his paymasters in public. I guess you could say that what we have here is a classic case of a failure to communicate that also includes the Chief Executive, Rick Parry. With all the bluster its sometimes hard to read between the lines but I believe what Rafa basically wants is Javier Mascherano neatly tied up in a bow and sitting under the Christmas tree plus a couple of other inexpensive baubles. The problem that Hicks and Gillett are having is that they've already spent a tidy sum on Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres. The thought of spending another $32 million on the Argentine without a guarantee of Champions League football snapped the wallet shut tighter than a gnats chuff. No decisions will be made until the result of the final winner-take-all Group A match versus, Marseille, is known. Adding to the confusion are rumors that Hicks and Gillett might not be on the same page when it comes to management and that the fans are unhappy with the way the pair have treated the Spaniard. On the first count, Tom Hicks stated that he and Gillett are still tight and that gossip that he was about to sell up are false. "I am not selling any of my shares to anybody. I've not idea why anyone would think that. It was rubbish," he said while scribbling a SELL order to a minion! On the second count, the fans certainly spoke during the week marching to Anfield en mass before the FC Porto match and demonstrating their vocal support for Benitez in the way that only Liverpool fans can do. With the players also backing the gaffer, Rafa, can claim to have the hearts and minds of what we'd like to think are the two most important ingredients in any club. With the owners basically being the absentee type though, there is only ever going to be one factor that stirs their emotions...the bottom line. Look, as much as the 'bean counters' (that's what hard-nosed businessmen are at the end of the day) profess their love for our sport and clubs, 'where is the cash' is the final question. If you really think it's the welfare of the club that takes precedent, I suggest you jump in the Artic Ocean for a minute or two and wake up. I'm not sure about Hicks' devotion to the Reds but Gillett has publicly stated that he fell in love with Liverpool after watching a DVD of that famous night in Turkey when the impossible happened. Did I tell you that the Saints are my favorite NFL team, yeah I had some 'gumbo' once at the Farmers market on 3rd & Fairfax. I love the Miami Heat - Rum Runners are delicious. The Yankees are awesome - their hats are cool. What I'm saying is the passion is tenuous - it's as deep as a paper cut. If a better offer comes along...see yah! It's funny because it doesn't seem that long ago that supporters were lambasting Sir Jack Walker at Blackburn Rovers for changing the rules of the game. At least Jack loved his club. His passion for Rovers was second to none. He never answered to shareholders. Today's owners are more like the Oakland raiders, Al Davis...'just win baby' I think what we're finding out is that the supposed riches these new owners bring come with a price. As 'Barry the Baptist' said in 'Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, 'when you dance with the devil, you wait for the song to stop.' My message to Rafa and other clubs under foreign ownership is the following...the music is still going strong, except perhaps there will be a time when it isn't your favorite tune. Until then, get the beers in.