Tom Hicks (Getty Images)
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks believes his former Anfield partner George Gillett has timed his latest personal attack to undermine Liverpool at the most important part of their season.
Gillett claimed his relationship with Hicks had broken down completely a year after their £219million takeover of the club and that he was now free to sell his shares to DIC, the investment arm of the Dubai royal family.
Hicks is refusing to comment publicly on Gillett's claims, with Liverpool set to face Everton in a crucial Premier League clash today and Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.
But privately he is fuming, believing that Gillett's outburst has been timed to undermine the club during a period that will make or break their season.
A source close to the Texas-based billionaire told Sunday Mirror Sport that "nothing has changed" since Hicks broke off negotiations with DIC about the prospect of them buying Gillett's 50 per cent stake in Liverpool.
Gillett's claim that Hicks could no longer block the sale because he had failed to meet the deadline to buy his stake himself was also dismissed.
The attack has only strengthened Hicks's determination not to be drawn back to the negotiating table by DIC.
Manager Rafa Benitez, meanwhile, has been given the go-ahead to broker deals to bring in three new players, with Schalke pair Rafinha and Ivan Rakitic high on his list.
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JONATHAN PEARCE
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE