Basketball star James invests in Liverpool

THE biggest star in the NBA is investing in Liverpool.

LeBron James bought a stake in the Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox, giving the Miami Heat player a minority stake in the club.

Executives involved with the deal declined to comment on the financial terms, but a person familiar with the details said FSG would receive a small commission on any deals it landed for James.

LeBron said he was “humbled” by the deal and looked forward to donning a red Liverpool jersey and visiting Anfield.

“The first time I stepped on an NBA court I became a businessman,” said 26-year-old James. “This is a great opportunity for me.”

The news comes on an otherwise bad day for manager Kenny Dalglish after Daniel Agger’s season was ended prematurely and Glen Johnson was ruled out for a month.

“Daniel has a problem with the tendon behind his knee and won’t be involved again this season,” said Dalglish.

“He’ll be out for a couple of months before he can start training.”

With Martin Kelly’s recurrence of a hamstring problem likely to keep him out for up to four weeks it leaves Dalglish’s defensive options limited ahead of Manchester City’s visit.

The defence which played the final 65 minutes of the game at the Hawthorns comprised four centre-backs, with Jamie Carragher and Danny Wilson being asked to play out of position on the right and left respectively.

Elsewhere, captain Steven Gerrard could also miss the rest of the season. The England midfielder was due to return from a groin operation against West Brom only to sustain a similar injury in training last week and a prognosis is not expected until Friday.

“We will know about Steven at the end of the week,” said Dalglish.

“It’s disappointing for the players because they want to play in every game. We’re getting towards the end of the season but if you’re injured you’re injured.”