Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have hit a problem in their refinancing plans, according to reports.

It is claimed the American pair are struggling to secure a loan they need to pay back the original loan they used to buy the club last year.

Speculation suggests Hicks and Gillett are running out of time and could be tempted to sell to Dubai Investment Capital.

One report suggests the ‘refinancing deal is on the verge of collapse’ while another claims ’sources in the City believe that the Americans’ regime is crumbling by the day’.

Plans to build a new stadium in Stanley Park were put on hold recently because the project was becoming too expensive.

At the weekend, Hicks insisted he had not received an offer for the club and had no plans to sell.