Liverpool's victory over Arsenal in Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal has strengthened the hand of co-owner Tom Hicks.

The Times says in terms of prize-money, the guaranteed bonus for reaching the semi-finals is £2.4 million, but at a time when Dubai International Capital (DIC) is trying to buy his 50 per cent stake in the club, Hicks may consider it priceless.

DIC is convinced that he will sell, but with Liverpool having reached another Champions League semi-final and a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League in sight, Hicks will believe that the stakes have been raised since the start of the season.