Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has insisted no star players will be sold.

The Reds are in the midst of a woeful run and lie seventh in the Barclays Premier League, nine points off leaders Chelsea, while they are also on the brink of an early exit from the Champions League. Failure to reach the knockout stages would be a severe financial blow but Hicks is adamant the likes of Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard will not be forced to leave Anfield because of cash pressures.

He told the Sunday Mirror: "None of our star players will be sold, regardless of results. The club is doing very well due to rapidly growing commercial revenues."

He added: "We have significant investor interest and want to make sure that we pick high-quality partners.

"We are happy with the way things are going financially but we hoped things would be better on the pitch."