Liverpool owners Gillett and Hicks agree to split up - 'for the good of the club'

10 October 2009 22:59
Liverpool's warring co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have agreed to split up for the good of the club. [LNB]In a significant change of policy, Hicks has decided to no longer stand in the way of Gillett if he wants to sell his 50 per cent stake to Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia or another investor. [LNB]The shift in attitude from Hicks who can veto any plans Gillett has to sell up will be welcomed by Liverpool fans, who have  seen the club placed in gridlock because of conflict between the owners. [LNB] Finally calling it a day: George Gillett and Tom Hicks[LNB]But Hicks who, unlike Gillett, remains a supporter of manager Rafa Benitez, has told Prince Faisal and other prospective owners he intends to retain his own 50 per cent stake. [LNB]A source close to Hicks said: 'Tom would be open to considering someone interested in buying George Gillett's shares, but is still  committed himself longterm. Rafa also has Tom's full support as manager. [LNB]'He sees the early defeats this season as a wake-up call but believes the Premier League is more competitive in general this season.[LNB]'Despite losing at Chelsea, he is consoling himself with the fact they still have to come to Anfield.' [LNB]Prince Faisal has been to Anfield this season as Gillett's guest and is weighing up a £200million bid to buy his half of the club despite reservations over the levels of debt.Ideally however, the Saudi billionaire would prefer to own the club outright. [LNB]Liverpool have lurched from one crisis to another since Hicks and Gillett bought the club in 2007. The promised new stadium at Stanley Park has been delayed and Hicks held Gillett responsible for setting up a meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann as a possiblereplacement for Benitez.[LNB] Hicks blocked Gillett's attempts to sell his stake to a Dubai company in 2008 but now understands Liverpool can no longer move forward while their partnership resembles a broken marriage.  [LNB] Arsenal target Matuidi won't leave St Etienne for peanuts, warns ComolliBenitez pleads with Denmark to go easy on returning Liverpool crock AggerMATT LAWTON: He's battling the rage but Barton could explode againLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail