My family have received death threats and my relationship with Hicks is beyond repair, reveals Anfield co-owner Gillett

In a candid account of their brief but stormy reign, Gillett revealed how he had offered Hicks the chance to buy his 50 per cent stake after their relationship had deteriorated beyond repair.

The 61-year old Texan failed to raise the necessary funds and Gillett subsequently withdrew his offer after receiving death threats from angry fans.

Gillett then hinted he would turn the tables on Hicks and make a bid for his holding.

Though he may struggle to encounter resistance from Hicks after their acrimonious fall-out, Gillett knows he can count on Dubai International Capital for support after hailing them as potentially 'very responsible owners'.

Gillett added that an attempt to sell to DIC had been vetoed by Hicks, who rejected a £400million approach from the group and still insists he has no interest in parting with his half-share of power.

Referring to Hicks's admission that Jurgen Klinsmann had been sounded out about replacing Rafa Benitez as manager, Gillett outlined the depth of ill-feeling towards his one-time ally, and said: 'We have been getting as many as 2,000 emails a week, and 95 per cent have been directed at comments made by my partner. The other five per cent have been aimed at both of us, saying: "Go home, Americans".

'The thing that seems to upset fans the most is that I might sell even one share of stock to my partner. They don't want him to have a controlling interest.

'The partnership (with Hicks) has been unworkable for some time. We have tried to be co-operative and supportive, and we gave him a long period to try to make the arrangements to buy us out.

'But ultimately he didn't get to the finish line and that option has now become untenable.'

At least Liverpool appear to be getting their house in order over player discipline. It emerged yesterday that Javier Mascherano has paid a £20,000 club fine to charity and sent a written apology to referee Steve Bennett after finally conceding he was in the wrong over his Old Trafford rant.

The midfielder, who faces a three-match ban after admitting an FA misconduct charge, initially claimed he had not deserved a second yellow card for dissent in Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Benitez, speaking ahead of tomorrow's home derby against Everton, said: 'Javier has apologised for the way he reacted. He knows he has made a mistake and he wants to show his remorse at the FA hearing.

'We have fined him, and he has not only gone along with that but suggested the money go to charity. That shows he is a fantastic person as well as a fantastic player.'

To hear the full broadcast with George Gillett given to Prime Time Sports Radio in Canada visit the Liverpool Echo's website - www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/lfc and click on the link to the audio.