Liverpool owners deny planning sale to Dubai

18/01/2008

American co-owners of Liverpool, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, denied the allegation. Friday reports were released, that they are preparing to sell all or part of the club to Dubai International Capital (DIC), the investment arm of the emirate.

In a tender to secure control of Livepool early last year DIC were unsuccessful and reports have suggested they are now seeking to obtain Hicks's 50% share amid suggestions he was seeking to rid his investment.

A spokesman for Hicks categorically denied the reports. "Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett remain fully committed to the club," he said.

"Any suggestion that Messrs Hicks and Gillett are contemplating a sale of the club or any portion thereof to DIC or anyone else is categorically untrue."

Reports in the English media have suggested that relations between Gillett and Hicks have become strained with the former now prepared to back a DIC buyout of his partner's stake.

The two Americans are currently finalising a refinancing deal intended to allow them to repay loans they took out to buy the club and fund the purchase of new players including Fernando Torres.

The refinancing is also crucial to Liverpool being able to start work on a planned new stadium that is supposed to be built close to their existing ground at Anfield.

Liverpool will step out on Monday for their Premier League home game with Aston Villa with their minds focused just as much on beating non-league Havant and Waterlooville five days later.

By the time the troubled Reds walk out at Anfield, they expect to be even further adrift of the top three.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all play on Saturday away to teams in the bottom half of the table - Reading, Fulham and Birmingham respectively.

So no-one would be surprised if the gap between Liverpool and the top spot is a massive 15 points by then, with the Gunners and Chelsea also pulling further away from the Anfield men.

And that would even further reduce the chances of the Merseysiders making even a dramatic last-ditch bid to stay in the hunt.

But less than a week later, Liverpool are at home to the little Hampshire club in the FA Cup fourth round, a game they surely will win to keep themselves at least with the hope of one domestic honour this term.

The future ownership of the club will still hang like a dark cloud over Anfield, and boss Rafael Benitez knows that he must keep his side in with a chance of winning something.

But even the ever-optimistic Jamie Carragher, who made his 500th appearance for the club in the midweek cup win over Luton, knows time is up on the title bid.

He said: "We are not stupid. You never throw the towel in, but for us to get back into contention for the title we would have to have an unbelievable second half to the season.

"And the rest would have to have an unbelievably bad second half to the campaign. We realise our best chance of silverware is the cup competitions. That is why they are so important."

Liverpool need to beat Villa to maintain their hopes of a fourth-place finish and a Champions League spot, now clearly the minimum requirement for Benitez.

And Carragher insists that the players must not allow themselves to be affected by what is happening off the field at Liverpool.

He said: "You have to be strong mentally to play for Liverpool. Things happen off the pitch but you do not let it affect you."

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