Liverpool F.C. owners all set to walk alone

By Elena Moya

LONDON (Reuters) - Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the U.S. billionaire owners of Liverpool F.C., are on the brink of striking a partial sale of the club and dissolving an arranged marriage that has not delivered what fans hoped for.

Yet, the pair will almost double their money after Dubai International Capital (DIC) offered 400 million pounds ($807.6 million) for the club that cost them 219 million a year ago.

Over the next few days, Hicks, Gillett and DIC will discuss in Dubai the sale by Gillett of a 49 percent stake to DIC, and his remaining 1 percent to Hicks, giving the Texan a controlling 51 percent.

The co-owners, who did not know each other before the purchase, are set to end a partnership that hit the rocks when Hicks revealed they had spoken to German coach Juergen Klinsmann about him replacing present manager Rafa Benitez.

Hicks and Gillett have not been reconciled since and have not lately been seen around Anfield, Liverpool's stadium.

"They would not dare come here," said Ian McAlan, who runs the Liverpool fan club in Hong Kong, during Saturday's home match against Newcastle United.

"They've only brought more problems," said a former shareholder, who did not want to be identified.

Many doubt Hicks and Gillett knew what they were buying into.