SOCCER:Tom Hicks served notice of his intention to retain control at Liverpool last night when he warned he may block George Gillett's attempts to sell to Dubai International Capital. As a game of brinksmanship develops over the future of Liverpool, Hicks also indicated he could gain majority control with a buyout of his co-chairman.

Liverpool's co-owners have both held negotiations about a possible takeover with the investment arm of the Dubai government in recent months.

However, under the terms of their joint takeover last February, Hicks and Gillett have first refusal on their business partner's 50 per cent stake and must give their consent to any sale by their partner.

Although Gillett has been receptive to DIC and the prospect of a quick profit on his troubled 12-month investment, Hicks remains a major obstacle to their ambitions of a complete takeover.

The Texan has told DIC he would grant them permission to purchase Gillett's holding on the condition he remained in control of the management structure.

He is also keen to retain the lead role in the development of a new stadium on Stanley Park.

DIC have rejected Hicks' conditions and are reluctant to replicate the 50-50 venture that has proved so problematic for Liverpool.

They will invest only on the understanding that Hicks is willing to allow them to become the dominant party and are prepared to walk away if the current impasse continues.

In response to this stand-off Hicks gave the first public indication of the breakdown in his relationship with Gillett last night when he reaffirmed his determination not to relinquish power at Anfield.

"Not only am I not going to sell, my partner cannot sell without my approval," Hicks said in an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram yesterday.

"So I kind of have the ability to determine the outcome of what is going to happen and I am right in the middle of that."

Alarmingly for Liverpool supporters opposed to the Americans' regime, Hicks suggested one way of resolving the problems with Gillett would be to purchase his stake and become the majority stakeholder.

"For a lot of reasons I can't discuss I haven't been able to fix it yet. But I am preparing to be in a position to fix it," he added.

It is debatable, however, whether Hicks could afford to buy out his co-chairman given the impact of the credit crunch on Hicks' Holdings company and current financial problems with his US sports franchises, the Texas Rangers baseball team and the NHL's Dallas Stars.

There were further off-pitch distractions for Liverpool yesterday when it was revealed that their vice-captain, Jamie Carragher, had been arrested and cautioned by police for common assault.

The former England international (30) was formally interviewed at a Merseyside police station and accepted the caution - an admission of guilt in the eyes of the law - following an altercation near his home in Blundellsands on Tuesday morning.

Carragher had been driving to training at Liverpool's Melwood complex when he became embroiled in a row with a man with whom it is believed he has endured a long-running dispute.

A witness called police to report two men arguing by the roadside and named the Liverpool defender as one of those involved.

Later that day the apparent victim also filed a complaint against Carragher, who was given an appointment to be interviewed by officers and accepted the caution for common assault, the lowest form of assault, in the company of his solicitor.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that a 30-year-old man from the Blundellsands area received a police caution for common assault in relation to an incident on Liverpool Road, Crosby, on Tuesday, February 26th."

The club declined to comment.

Confirmation of Carragher's arrest came as Rafael Benitez was compelled to stress that Steven Gerrard was not alone in harbouring deep frustrations at this season's domestic under-achievement.

"Everyone at Liverpool shares Steven's sentiments, there is no question about that," the Liverpool manager said. "We wanted to be further up the table and the fact that we are not is a disappointment to everyone."