It is still expected Hicks' representatives will meet Dubai International Capital executives in the middle-east state early next week to thrash out what will become a virtual joint ownership of the Anfield club.

Texan millionaire Hicks has reacted angrily to the publication of a letter - on Liverpool-headed note paper - which outlines the details of a potential buy-out of Gillett's stake in the club, with 1% being bought by Hicks to give him a 51% majority control of the club.

While Liverpool are in Milan next week attempting to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, the club's future ownership will be decided in Dubai.

But Hicks has been angered by leaked details of negotiations, and has blasted DIC's chief negotiator Amanda Staveley for an alleged involvement in the leak.

But tonight a source close to the DIC negotiations said: "This letter has not been leaked by DIC or any of our negotiating team to the media.

"We do not expect any problems with the meetings next week, and we expect the deal to buy George Gillett's stake to go through."

Hicks is clearly upset that there are suggestions that although he will buy 1% of Gillett's stake, that is the beginning of a process which will see DIC eventually buy-out the Texan owner of Dallas Stars basketball side and the Texas Rangers' baseball franchise.

Sources accept that DIC do want to take full 100% control eventually, but in the short-term they are happy to accept Hicks' demands that he remains the majority share-holder.

Hicks claims that DIC are only one several possible investors, with the possibility of further American involvement.

But Gillett wants to sell and will accept a deal next week which sees him getting an £80million profit on his stake, while selling 1% to Hicks for £500,000.

The Hicks' family staged a show of strength at Anfield today when a large party of Americans - including members of Hicks' family - took centre stage seats in the directors' box for the 3-0 Barclays Premier League win over Newcastle.

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A statement from Hicks said: "DIC is one of several potential minority investors we are or will be talking to.

"As for Amanda Staveley, who has a reputation for being pretty smart, she should know better than to publicly put words in my mouth - particularly words that she knows or should know perfectly well aren't true.

"She should also know better than to release actual copies of my private correspondence to the press.

"If she thinks that is an appropriate way to acquire a stake in Liverpool FC, she had better think again."