Tom Hicks dp post

Despite having had a key balancing role on the Liverpool board, Hicks Jnr’s resignation will not weaken his father’s position as it was immediately announced his successor was Casey Coffman, executive vice-president of Hicks Holdings.

Liverpool’s chief financial officer Philip Nash and the club’s commercial director Ian Ayre have also been elected to the board of both companies.

Meanwhile, Fernando Torres believes Benitez retains the full backing of his players and is convinced Liverpool can force their way back into the top four and gain Champions League qualification.

“We’re extremely confident that we can regain the position (in the table) that we deserve and that it’s still in our hands,” said the striker.

“We’re virtually the same team that finished second in the Premier League last season and we’re going to do everything we can to improve our situation.

“Unfortunately this season is not turning out how we’d wanted, but our best is still to come.”

Liverpool entertain Reading in their FA Cup third round replay tomorrow having won their previous two Premier League games, including a 1-0 win at Aston Villa in which Torres scored an injury-time winner. And the Spain international said: “'Let’s hope that we can put a string of good performances together come the end-of-season run-in and the most pivotal moments, and that we can put right what we’ve not done so well up to now.

“And who knows, in May we might well be talking about how good a season it’s been. We’ve still got objectives to aim for.”