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• Former owners claiming hundreds of millions in damages
• Almost one year since Hicks and Gillett were ousted from club

Liverpool’s former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are still seeking damages from the club’s present owners, former directors and the Royal Bank of Scotlan, almost one year after New England Sports Ventures gained control of the Anfield club in the high court.

Hicks and Gillett lost control of Liverpool last October when NESV, now Fenway Sports Group, repaid a £237m loan the American businessmen had taken out with RBS and the US bank Wells Fargo. Hicks claimed he was the victim of an “epic swindle” but his appeal to have a $1bn damages claim heard in the US was dismissed at the high court in February.

Mr Justice Floyd’s ruling, however, permitted Hicks to sue for damages in this country and Liverpool’s former owners have served notice of their intention to proceed by filing papers to that effect. Hicks and Gillett are claiming hundreds of millions in damages from the RBS, NESV and former directors, believed to be Martin Broughton and Christian Purslow.

Hicks tried and failed to remove Purslow and Ian Ayre, who has since succeeded Purslow as the managing director at Liverpool, from the club’s board during his desperate attempts to retain control but was ultimately thwarted in the high court. The Americans’ latest legal challenge could take several months to come to court.

The Liverpool manager also revealed that Daniel Agger is ahead of schedule in his return from a fractured rib suffered in the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur less than two weeks ago. Both Agger and Glen Johnson, who is recovering from his second hamstring injury of the season, have taken part in light training this week although the Dane is unlikely to feature at Goodison.

LiverpoolTom HicksAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk

• 20-year-old Uruguay defender moved to Anfield on Tuesday
• ‘Luis told me a lot about Liverpool … I feel very happy’

Sebastian Coates has revealed that Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez played a pivotal role in convincing him to move to Anfield.

The 20-year-old Uruguay defender, who completed his transfer from Montevideo club Nacional on Tuesday, said the input from Suárez made him sure that the move was the best option for his career.

Coates told Liverpool’s website: “Luis told me a lot about Liverpool – but about the fans more than anything else. I saw that myself on Saturday when the fans really got behind their side against Bolton and that was great to see.

“Luis also told me about the history and the tradition of the club and now I feel very happy and excited to be here because I have left one great club in Nacional and signed for another great club with a fantastic history.

“To come to such a big club alongside a fellow countryman is very important for me. I know Luis will help me settle in, we have the same cultures and customs so having him around will help me a lot.”

The deal for Coates was the main headline on another busy day for Liverpool, with more activity looking likely before the summer transfer window closes.

The Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen, signed by Roy Hodgson, looks set to join French club Evian after the clubs agreed a fee. Raul Meireles has been linked with a move to Chelsea, while Joe Cole is understood to be a target for Aston Villa and French champions Lille.

LiverpoolTransfer windowguardian.co.uk

• Anfield club lose 3-0
• £20m Jordan Henderson fails to impress

To suggest that Liverpool supporters are not sure about Kenny Dalglish may seem