Tom Hicks, the Liverpool co-owner, will not be among the 45,000 expected at Anfield tonight, preferring to watch the Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal from Texas as his club attempt to reach the semi-finals for the third time in four years.

The American, who spent much of last week in London, remains intent on buying out George Gillett Jr, his co-owner, who in turn wants to sell to Dubai International Capital (DIC), who wish to buy out Hicks. Indeed, Hicks was at the Emirates Stadium for the first leg last Wednesday to see the quarter-final first leg, and was again in the directors' box on Saturday to witness the league clash between the clubs.

But Hicks, who also owns the Texas Rangers baseball team, has now flown back to Dallas to watch the opening match of the new Major League season.

Hicks explained: "I would never miss our home opener, but I will have the Liverpool game on my TV. I saw two great games over there last week."

The saga surrounding the club's ownership is threatening to rumble on beyond the end of the season, with Hicks and DIC locked in a battle for control. Hicks is believed to have held discussions with banks and financiers in London last week in a bid to take complete control of the club and the Texan is thought to be threatening to veto Gillett's attempts to sell his stake to DIC, but it seems that could now be tested in court.

Despite his father's absence, Tom Hicks Jr will be at Anfield for the first time since he was involved in a fracas with the club's supporters following the Premier League match with Middlesbrough on February 23. The incident happened when Hicks Jr went for a drink in the Sandon pub following the match, where he was reportedly spat at and had beer thrown at him before being rescued by his minders.