Having been called upon by one American to step down Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has received the backing of the other co-owner as the boardroom dispute grows increasingly ugly.

George Gillett publicly backed Parry today in defiance of Tom Hicks saying the chief executive has his full support.

Gillett also pointed out that the full board would have to approve Parry's removal.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "Rick Parry retains our full support.

"Any decision to remove him would need the approval of the full Liverpool board which, it should be remembered, consists of six people - myself, Foster (Gillett's son), David Moores, Rick himself, Tom Hicks and Tom junior.

"We have not seen the document in question and we were not party to it," he added, referring to the letter reportedly sent to Parry by Hicks calling for his resignation.

"We are not able to comment on the detail because we have not seen it. But I would reiterate that Rick retains our full support."

Earlier today Parry claimed he had not even seen the letter and learned of it on Sky Sports News. He added: "The club will be fine - no individual is bigger than the club.

"But, obviously, we need leadership at the top and at the moment there is a severe lack of unity."

Parry has been chief executive at Liverpool for a decade and oversaw the takeover of the club by Hicks and business partner George Gillett last year.

Since then, the relationship between Hicks and Gillett has broken down and the future ownership of the club remains the subject of continual speculation.

Hicks is presently thought to be trying to put together a financial package to attempt to buy out Gillett, who has said he will not sell any of his 50 per cent share to his partner.

Meanwhile, Dubai International Capital, who have had negotiations with both parties in the past, insist they would "still love to own" the club.