Liverpool have distanced themselves from claims that co-owner Tom Hicks is considering selling his stake in the club.

Sources close to the American millionaire say he was made aware of speculation growing about a rift with co-owner George Gillett, and suggestions that he would be selling up, several days ago.

It is believed that in conversations earlier this week Hicks was angered by the suggestions and denied them to key figures at Anfield.

Hicks and Gillett are believed to be on the brink of sealing finances to build their revamped £400 million new stadium in Stanley Park.

In the current tough financial market that has taken them some time and they have found world banks reluctant to loan cash for such a major scheme.

And in the midst of this, the row with boss Rafael Benitez over transfer policy has also sprung up, with the prospect at one stage that the Spaniard's public insubordination could cost him his job.

But in recent days that conflict has been smoothed over, thanks largely to a lengthy meeting between Parry and Benitez ahead of Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League win over Porto.

It was around this time, it is understood, that Hicks made it clear that speculation about him selling up was not true.