Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has clarified what LeBron James' increasing influence within Fenway Sports Group will look like, with the NBA superstar set to be available as a "resource" to Reds players.
James and business partner Maverick Carter recently became even more heavily involved with FSG, with Werner turning heads when he claimed that they would both have more of a say in the day to day running of both Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox.
Speaking to The Athletic last week, Werner said: "I will be surprised actually if they don’t weigh in (on management decisions) – I would welcome their thoughts.
“I think that the relationship that the consumer has with a sporting team is an emotional one.
"I consider Maverick to be one of my closest friends, and I’ve spent hours with him talking about strategy, coaching, the lessons that I’ve learned from Jurgen Klopp, and the lessons that he’s learned as an astute observer of basketball.
"We have a very collaborative relationship, so I would actually say that their wisdom and their experience is going to be hugely helpful to us going forward."
Werner's comments led to suggestions that James would have a say in Liverpool's recruitment strategy, but the Reds chairman has now clarified his words, suggesting that the Los Angeles Lakers star will be on hand to speak to Reds players should to held provide a psychological edge..
Speaking to Boston radio station WEEI before the opening of the new baseball season, Werner said, via the Liverpool Echo: "He's just going to be a resource for players and player psychology, he's not going to be making any line-up decisions or anything like that.
"LeBron and Maverick are smart people, they run a media company that is a juggernaut.
"They've got great relationships, from Nike to Disney to Amazon. They'll be a resource as so many of our partners are."
