Liverpool takeover thrown into confusion

THE takeover of Liverpool was thrown into confusion last night when the club’s board met in a London Docklands hotel and did not formally accept the bid from Dubai International Capital.

The board, under chairman and owner David Moores, met to consider the second bid from George Gillett – the owner of Montreal Canadians ice hockey team – and it is believed decided they needed more time to make a decision.

The Liverpool board’s lack of a decisive move has surprised DIC, who have completed due diligence and want to make their formal bid, via the Stock Exchange, for Moores’ 51.6% majority shareholding early next week.

They believed Moores was in favour of a bid which would have given the club’s chairman £80million at £4,500 a share.

Gillett’s original offer had been rejected before Christmas, but last week he submitted a new offer by letter to Moores which in effect upped the bid to give Moores £88million for his holding.

It is believed there are other board members – including representatives from Granada - who also want to think again about Gillett’s terms.