Liverpool duo deny sale claim

It was reported on Thursday that Dubai International Capital - who were in line to complete a takeover 12 months ago before Gillett and Hicks gained control - were set to buy the American duo's 50% stake.

However, a spokesman for Hicks dismissed the reports, saying: "Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett remain fully committed to the club. Any suggestion that Messrs Hicks and Gillett are contemplating a sale of the club or any portion thereof to DIC or anyone else is categorically untrue."

DIC, backed by Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, had earlier made no attempt to play down speculation when a spokesman said: "We do not comment on such things, we have nothing to say on this."

Liverpool will step out on Monday for their Barclays Premier League home game with Aston Villa with their minds focused just as much on beating non-league Havant and Waterlooville five days later.

By the time the troubled Reds walk out at Anfield, they expect to be even further adrift of the top three. Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all play on Saturday, away to teams in the bottom half of the table - Reading, Fulham and Birmingham respectively.

So no-one would be surprised if the gap between Liverpool and the top spot is a massive 15 points by then, with the Gunners and Chelsea also pulling further away from the Anfield men. And that would even further reduce the chances of the Merseysiders making even a dramatic last-ditch bid to stay in the hunt.

But less than a week later, Liverpool are at home to the little Hampshire club in the FA Cup fourth round, a game they surely will win to keep themselves at least with the hope of one domestic honour this term.

The future ownership of the club will still hang like a dark cloud over Anfield, and boss Rafael Benitez knows that he must keep his side in with a chance of winning something. But even the ever-optimistic Jamie Carragher, who made his 500th appearance for the club in the midweek cup win over Luton, knows time is up on the title bid.

He said: "We are not stupid. You never throw the towel in, but for us to get back into contention for the title we would have to have an unbelievable second half to the season. And the rest would have to have an unbelievably bad second half to the campaign. We realise our best chance of silverware is the cup competitions. That is why they are so important."