Gillett stirs the pot at Liverpool by inviting Dubai predators to Chelsea clash

Co-owner George Gillett has invited senior officials from Dubai International Capital to be his guests for the Champions League semi-final first leg with Chelsea.

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Gillett will not be able to attend because of illness but his party — including son Foster, a fellow director — will be there to welcome DIC's representatives.

The move came as Benitez urged fans not to be distracted by the boardroom battle and instead 'make more noise' to unsettle Chelsea, who Liverpool have twice beaten at this stage of the tournament.

Gillett has wanted to sell his 50 per cent stake in the club to DIC for several months and his bold move comes five days after his estranged partner Tom Hicks staged an extravagant PR exercise defiantly outlining his own plans for the future of the club.

Colorado-based Gillett has since announced he had no intention of selling his stake to Hicks. It is believed that DIC's chief negotiator Amanda Staveley will be among Gillett's party, along with DIC chief executive Samir Al-Ansari.

Hicks made it clear at the weekend that he intended to be at Anfield but he will surely not want to be in the same directors' box as the DIC representatives.

DIC have been trying to buy the club for 18 months, having been beaten at the post by Hicks and Gillett just over a year ago.

They seemed to have tied up a deal at the turn of the year when Hicks sent a representative to Dubai for talks, only for him to pull the plug on the possible sale.

Now Gillett, at least, seems to be making a bold statement of intent. It is clear he wants to sell and that DIC want to buy.

Any problem over Hicks's alleged veto of a Gillett sale is likely to be challenged in court before the summer.

Liverpool manager Benitez has urged supporters to expose what he believes to be a mental block among Chelsea's players in this intense atmosphere. Although captain John Terry promises that his players 'mean business' and will go for goals, not shut up shop, Benitez hopes the past losses will weigh heavily on Chelsea.

He said: "If it was me trying to make up for those defeats, I would view it as an incentive, for sure. But for them, it could prove a psychological problem after what happened.

"They have experienced players who shouldn't have any problem coming to Anfield and dealing with the atmosphere but we must create even more noise, if possible, to put them to the test.

"Our supporters know we need everyone behind us from the start. I am sure they will be focused on the team, rather than anything else."

Steven Gerrard is fit after missing the win at Fulham because of a neck injury. Along with Jamie Carragher and Fabio Aurelio, he will miss the second leg if booked. Chelsea have no players in a similar position but are without the suspended Michael Essien.