RIP. Mourning at Anfield! Former Liverpool owner passes away

English football and the global sporting community have suffered a heavy loss.

Details: American businessman George Gillett, Liverpool's former co-owner, has died at the age of 87. According to The Mirror, the cause of death was complications caused by Alzheimer's disease, which the businessman had battled in recent years. The Merseyside club's leadership has already extended its official condolences to the deceased's family and loved ones.

Gillett acquired Liverpool in March 2007 alongside fellow American investor Tom Hicks. The deal cost the businessmen £174 million. Their tenure at the Merseyside club became one of the most dramatic and controversial periods in its modern history: the duo's ownership was marked by debt problems, mass fan protests and protracted disputes with the team's manager, Rafael Benítez.

In October 2010, following a deep conflict between the co-owners and intense pressure from creditors, Gillett and Hicks were forced to part company with the club. The new owners were New England Sports Ventures, led by John Henry, which later changed its name to Fenway Sports Group. The sale was completed for around £300 million, although the previous owners publicly objected to the valuation and claimed that the deal was significantly undervalued.

Beyond English football, Gillett achieved considerable prominence in North American sports. From 2001 to 2009, he owned the NHL's Montreal Canadiens, earning the respect of the fans and preparing the team for its centennial celebrations. In addition, the American businessman held stakes at various points in the NFL's Miami Dolphins and the famous basketball exhibition team the Harlem Globetrotters.

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