Pool battle goes to extra-time

THE battle for control of Liverpool took a sensational twist late last night after owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett claimed to have won a temporary restraining order from the Texas State District Court preventing the sale of the club.

Hicks and Gillett are also, astonishingly, seeking $1.6 billion (€1.1bn) in damages.

The American businessmen, whose ownership of the club was thought to be approaching its end last night as the Liverpool board met at the offices of a London legal firm with prospective new owner John Henry in attendance, also claimed they are the victims of an “epic swindle”.