Moores ready to end reign at Liverpool

The Moores family's 50-year hold over Liverpool could come to an end if chairman David carries out his threat to give up control of the club.

Moores, who still backs Gerard Houllier, made the revelation at the end of a stormy annual general meeting. Moores and his manager were criticised by shareholders frustrated by the club's indifferent form on the field.

Just how close Moores is to letting control of Anfield go will not be known until the end of the season. But for the first time, Moores has agreed to hold talks with millionaire Steve Morgan, the club's third-largest shareholder.

Morgan has always wanted a say in the running of the club and a place on the board, but has previously been denied.

Moores told the shareholders: "I appreciate all you say and as chairman the buck stops with me. If it gets worse I will have to look at my own position, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

"At the end of the season I'll be looking at myself, but at the moment we try to do the best we can. But I believe we can come through this, I believe in what the manager has planned, and our success."

Houllier, who takes his injury-hit side to Chelsea tomorrow, gave a speech backing his policies, but he too must now be concerned about the future.

Moores has a 51 per cent controlling interest and has been chairman for more than a decade. If he were to step down, Houllier's position could be under threat. Only Champions League qualification could maintain the status quo at Anfield.