The British media group Granada is to buy a 9.9 per cent shareholding in Liverpool Football Club for £22 million sterling (€33.7 million) in a deal that will bring extra cash - and commercial expertise - to the Premiership club. Granada said it would be handling "a wide range of commercial issues for Liverpool FC allowing the club management to concentrate on winning football matches".

The media-and-leisure group said it would help Liverpool with merchandising, publishing and electronic media rights, as well as broadcasting rights including the possibility of creating a club television channel.

The stake sale comes amid rumours that other financial interests are planning a bid for Liverpool's great rival, Manchester United.