Hicks on brink as Dubai group offer Kop out

LIVERPOOL co-owner Tom Hicks could be on the brink of being offered a way out of the troubled club.

A year ago this month Dubai International Capital were stunned by the last-minute failure of their bid to take control of the club but it is believed they are now set to try to buy the American’s 50% stake in Anfield.

And DIC made no attempt to play down speculation on Thursday when a spokesman said: “We do not comment on such things, we have nothing to say.”

A spokesman for Hicks dismissed the reports: “Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett remain fully committed to the club. Any suggestion Messrs Hicks and Gillett are contemplating a sale of the club or any portion thereof to DIC or anyone else is categorically untrue.”

But as the turmoil over the ownership of Liverpool by Hicks and fellow American George Gillett continues it has become clear DIC have never given up hope of owning the club, with lifelong fan and founder and chairman of DIC Sameer al-Ansari believed to be at the forefront of new moves.

It is the 44-year-old financier who was the prime mover in last January’s failed bid for the club, working on behalf of the real power behind DIC, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum.

A year ago then-chairman David Moores changed his mind at the last minute with DIC expecting to clinch their deal, and opted instead to sell to the Americans.

But Al-Ansari has kept links with Liverpool, and in particular chief executive Rick Parry.

And it is understood he has persuaded Sheikh Mohammed to become involved in a second bid.

The Liverpool Echo, in a report yesterday, maintained an offer for Hicks’ shares is being prepared and may even have been agreed.

The two Americans have lost the backing of the club’s supporters in recent weeks, compounded by the outcry following Hicks’ confirmation the pair had met Jurgen Klinsmann and offered him Benitez’s job.

Hicks and Gillett have to reach an agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland within six weeks to refinance the loan they took out to buy the club in the first place.

And there is major opposition from within the Liverpool board, believed to come from Moores and Parry, to any move that will see the club take on some of the debt from the loan.

Hicks could accept the bid and get out now with a profit, or continue with the refinancing plans, believed to be a matter of days from completion.

Liverpool fans are preparing further demonstrations against the Americans at Monday’s home match with Aston Villa.

Meanwhile plans for the new stadium have still to be agreed a year after the American takeover and funds to allow Benitez to compete with Manchester United and Chelsea have not been made available.