Billy Beane could help run Liverpool if FSG deal is completed

Baseball legend Billy Beane could form part of the ownership group in charge of Premier League champions Liverpool.

Beane, who is currently the executive vice president of MLB team Oakland Athletics, is widely credited as the creator of “Moneyball”, a system which has seen him transcend the sporting world.

A report in the Wall Street Journal claims that RedBall Acquisition Corp., a venture that Beane co-chairs, could merge with the Reds’ American owners, Fenway Sports Group.

Should that happen, due to FSG’s ownership of the Red Sox, Beane’s involvement with the Athletics would be deemed a conflict of interest and force him to leave the team.

The report adds that Beane is unlikely to join in the operations of the Red Sox, with a move to Anfield a more likely one at this stage.

Neither party have yet confirmed the claims and while talks are ongoing, any official deal is still a way away.

The 58-year-old has been with the A’s since 1989, becoming the General Manager in 1997. He has rose to prominence for his use of the “Moneyball” tactic that uses data driven evaluations and analysis to spot players that may be overlooked elsewhere.

Liverpool owner John Henry tried to lure Beane to the Red Sox back in 2002, but despite a lucrative offer, he remained with the Athletics.

Beane has since developed a passion for football, owning a stake in Eredivise said AZ Alkmaar, as well as being part of the consortium that owns Barnsley.

John Henry could finally get to work with Billy Beane (UEFA via Getty Images)

Alkmaar are owned by former baseball player Robern Eenhoorn, who has adopted a strategy very similar to the one that made Beane famous.

Speaking last week, Beane said: “Robert Eenhoorn is my friend there and it has been a lot of fun.

“It's flattering. It's really neat. Usually, in normal times, it gives me a nice trip to Amsterdam once a year. And I do enjoy the sport. But it's also fun to see a club like that have success with a similar type of a business plan that all of us have carried out here with the A's.

“They're a great group of guys and I'm tickled that they've had the success and that I can be a part of it.”