Reds sale given go ahead

High Court ruling sides with Liverpool board

Henry: Has had bid accepted

Gillett & Hicks: On their way out

George Gillett and Tom Hicks look set to be on their way out of Anfield, with a High Court ruling giving Liverpool power to push through a takeover.

The American duo, who have co-owned the Reds since 2007, have been reluctantly forced to concede that they cannot block a £300million bid from New England Sports Ventures.

NESV, who own the Boston Red Sox and are fronted by John W Henry, saw a formal offer accepted by the Liverpool board against the wishes of Hicks and Gillett.

With that offer set to see them make a sizeable loss on their investment, the Reds' co-owners attempted to disrupt proceedings and retain their stranglehold on the Merseyside giants.

However, their efforts to remove high-ranking members of the board proved fruitless and it quickly became apparent that they were fighting a losing battle.

Taking the matter to the High Court was Hicks and Gillett's last chance to stave off a sale they did not sanction and ensure they continued to hold power at Anfield.

Those efforts have been in vain, though, as Mr Justice Floyd has given Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton the go-ahead to sell the club.