Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks won't be attendance for tonight's Champions League clash with Arsenal.

Hicks, who is trying to raise funds in his ongoing battle for control of Liverpool with fellow owner George Gillett, spent much of last week in London. But he will instead be in Texas as Rafa Benitez's team attempt to reach the last four of Europe's premier competition.

Hicks has flown home to Dallas to watch the opening match of his Texas Rangers baseball team's new season. He will be represented at Anfield tonight by his son, Tom Jnr.

The last time Hicks Jnr attended a match at Anfield was for the Middlesbrough game on Feb 23, when his visit to the nearby Sandon pub to meet fans turned ugly. It was reported that he was spat at, had beer thrown at him and needed to be escorted out of the pub by minders.

On his decision to attend the baseball, Hicks Snr said: "Opening day in baseball is like a national holiday.

"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."