After the appointment of new boss Brendan Rodgers, Reds fans are optimistic about the season ahead but one NBA superstar thinks that it'll be tough.

Fresh from celebrating an NBA Finals win with the Miami Heat, basketball star and Fenway Sports Group minority shareholder LeBron James reckons that Liverpool will need massive investment in new signings to keep the pace with the Premier League's giants.

"It's a difficult time for the club right now," LeBron told the Daily Mail. "Liverpool are a team in a period of transition at the moment, so I don't know what they can achieve."

The athlete - pictured above in attendance at Liverpool's October 2011 home clash against Manchester United - has pledged his support for Liverpool on numerous occasions, including a forthcoming red and green-themed Nike LeBron 9 Low "Liverpool" footwear release. In a wide-ranging interview, LeBron also told the tabloid of his newfound love of the sport.

"I love football. I love to watch it, read up on it," he added. "I fell in love with it after watching it.

"I have a new respect for what they do, the shape they're in. It's just like basketball where you have to be a team first of all.

"If you see some of the plays they make out there, they're kind of basketball plays. They cut and move, just with their feet. They're passing with their feet while we pass with our hands, to try and set someone up for a goal.

"We try and do the same thing in basketball, where if someone is open we try and set them up for an easy basket. I definitely love the sport."