Skysports.com take an in-depth look at the Liverpool takeover saga.
Skysports.com offer an in-depth look at the Liverpool takeover story
Tom Hicks has called off talks with DIC as the ongoing soap opera that is Liverpool's ownership takes another intriguing twist.
Keep up to date with all of the drama via our indispensable timeline.
2004:
March - Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, is revealed to be interested in buying a stake in the club.
May - Shareholder Steve Morgan claims he has had two bids to take over the club turned down. Shinawatra makes a formal bid for a 30% stake in the club.
June - Shinawatra ends his interest in Liverpool. Thai media tycoon Paiboon Damrongchaitham reveals interest in buying a stake in the club.
August - Liverpool reject another takeover bid from Morgan.
December - Morgan abandons his proposed takeover.
2005:
November - American billionaire Robert Kraft refuses to rule out investing in Liverpool.
2006:
March 29 - Liverpool board confirm talks with potential investors which "may include an offer for the entire share capital of the club".
December 4 - Liverpool confirm they have "entered into a period of exclusive negotiations with Dubai International Capital about a possible investment in the club".
December 28 - DIC deny allegations it plans to sell the club in 2014 after making a huge profit.
2007:
January 26 - Liverpool reveal American businessman George Gillett has made an approach "which may or may not" lead to a takeover offer.
January 30 - Liverpool board meet to discuss Gillett proposal after deciding not to formally accept DIC bid.
January 31 - DIC pull out of takeover.
February 2 - It emerges Tom Hicks, another American owner of an ice hockey team, joined Gillett in flying to England to present Liverpool chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry with their provisional offer.
February 6 - Liverpool agree to the terms offered by Gillett and Hicks to purchase the club's entire issued share capital.
March 9 - Gillett and Hicks take unconditional control of Liverpool after receiving valid acceptances from shareholders to move to 80.7% ownership.
March 27 - An announcement to the Stock Exchange confirms the duo have received agreement to buy 98.6% of the club's shares, meaning they can compulsorily purchase the remaining 1.4%. The statement claims Gillett and Hicks will look to re-register the Reds as a private limited company, and the takeover is completed.
July 25 - Hicks and Gillett reveal revised plans for a new 60,000 capacity stadium in Stanley Park with the possibility to extend to 75,000 with a figure of £300million placed on the development.
November 12 - Hicks denies acquiring a stake in Serie A giant Roma after widespread reports in the country that he had held talks with Roma president Franco Sensi about buying a majority shareholding.
November 14 - Parry rubbished reports of rift between Gillett and Hicks.
November 23 - Hicks has tells manager Rafael Benitez to "coach the players we have" rather than complain about not being able to make new signings.
November 28 - Liverpool fans protest against American owners and declare their support for Benitez during the Reds 4-1 victory over Porto in the Champions League.
November 30 - Parry has dismissed claims that Hicks might be willing to sell his stake in the club as "complete rubbish".
December 17 - Hicks and Gillett have clear-the-air-talks with Benitez and confirm a downgrading of stadium plans because a global credit crunch.
2008:
January 9 - Liverpool postpone design for a new stadium as the club's owners attempt to refinance the loans they used to buy the club. Speculation mounts that DIC could be ready to resurrect their interest in buying the Reds.
January 14 - Hicks and Gillett insist that Benitez has their full support, after the startling admission they held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann.
January 18 - Suggestions Hicks and Gillett are planning to sell the club to DIC have been dismissed by the pair as "categorically untrue" and that remain "fully committed to the club". DIC refuse to dampen speculation.
January 19 - DIC are preparing to launch a £500million bid to buy Liverpool, according to widespread reports.
January 20 - Hicks insisted he has no intention of accepting an offer for his stake in the club and that he "had not received any offer to purchase the club from the DIC or anyone else".
January 22 - City sources claim that the American co-owners have hit a hitch in their bid for a restructuring of their loan agreement with the banks.
January 25 - Liverpool's owners announce they have completed a £350million refinancing package - and that Dallas based architects HKS have won the battle to build Liverpool's new £300million Stanley Park stadium.
January 27 - Hicks has revealed he held talks with DIC - but only about the company becoming a "minor investor" in the club.
January 30 - Share Liverpool FC, led by Kop season-ticket holder and director of the Football Industry Group Rogan Taylor, release plans to create a stakeholder base of 100,000 fans to buy out the club.
February 26 - Hicks denies reports he has invited Dubai International Capital (DIC) to inspect the club's accounts in preparation for a takeover. Hicks son is spat at and chased out of a pub by angry fans following Liverpool's game with Middlesbrough.
February 28 - Hicks claims he has the power to block any attempt by Liverpool co-owner Gillett to sell his half of the club.
March 3 - DIC chief executive Sameer al-Ansari revealed investment talks were "no secret" and had been ongoing but were being held up by the valuation of the club by one of Hicks or Gillett.
March 4 - Hicks does not formally reject an offer from Dubai International Capital but remains "unwilling" to sell his share in the club. DIC believed to make an offer for Gillett's 50% share.
March 5 - Gillett is believed to have considered an offer from DIC to buy his 50% stake in the club after talks between his lawyers and DIC negotiators, led by Amanda Staveley. Neil Atkinson, spokesperson for the Liverpool Supporters Union `Spirit of Shankly', said DIC would be welcomed with caution.
March 8 - Staveley, DIC's lead negotiator said they "would be prepared to accept a 49% shareholding" in the club. Hicks furious after letters leaked about the buy-out of Gillett's stake in the club, with 1% being bought by Hicks to give him a 51% majority control of the club. A statement from Hicks, who also criticised comments by Staveley, said: "DIC is one of several potential minority investors we are or will be talking to."
March 10 - Morning reports claim talks between DIC and the club's American owners are described as being at "an advanced stage". DIC said to have accepted that Hicks will not sell his share in Liverpool in the near future, but would insist on a clause giving them first refusal to buy his stake. Hicks releases a statement via Liverpool's website which said he has "decided to terminate" discussions with DIC over the possible purchase of a minority stake in the club.
