Liverpool's plans to appoint a new chief executive are set to drag on beyond the end of this season.

The Daily Mail says the appointment of Liverpool's next chief executive is unlikely until July when the refinancing schedule will decide future ownership. Tom Hicks wants to appoint Ian Ayre, the commercial director.

But the animosity between Hicks and George Gillett means neither will accept anything the other wants. But Gillett is the more likely of the American owners to depart in the summer.