Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has said he hopes for peace despite the open feud that has developed between the club's American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Benitez, speaking after his team drew 1-1 with Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield, said that Hicks had met him at the club's Melwood training ground earlier in the day.

"He came to say hello and to arrange a meeting between the owners and everyone else involved," Benitez said.

"I think it is a positive move. There is a chance that we may find some peace. There is a chance."

Hicks made a rare appearance at Anfield for the match after angering Liverpool fans with his handling of the club's affairs.

He sat alongside his son Tom Jr in the director's box and before kick-off joined in the singing of the club's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. Tom Jr also waved a club scarf.

Hicks sat two rows in front of the club's chief executive Rick Parry, who the American slammed last week as being "a disaster" because of his record at the club - and also demanded his resignation.

Parry has since said he has no intention of leaving unless the entire board decide he should go.

Two fans shouted insults at Hicks although a feared major protest did not materialise.

Gillett was not in attendance, although he invited potential suitors Dubai International Consortium's chief executive Samir Al-Ansari and chief negotiator Amanda Staveley to sit in the director's box.

Merseyside police said beforehand that Liverpool had been advised about safety if the club's owners attended the match.

Reuters