Barclays Premier League campaign

The Chinese investors trying to buy Liverpool have pledged to rival Manchester City and Real Madrid by making them one of the biggest spenders in world football. The cash-strapped club would also be made completely debt-free and American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been warned not to expect a windfall from the deal. SUNDERLAND keeper Craig Gordon has been told he will have a metal plate in his left arm for the rest of his career. Gordon is out for around ten weeks after breaking a bone near the wrist for the second time in eight months. The Scottish international, 27, had a plate removed this summer after being the victim of a challenge by Spurs striker Jermain Defoe but suffered the same injury in a light training session two weeks ago. Manchester United midfielder Anderson was involved in a car crash in Portugal on Sunday and had to be pulled from the vehicle before it burst into flames. The Brazilian was believed to be travelling with two friends, a man and a woman, when the accident occurred in the Geres area of Braga in the early hours of the morning.

Read more Manchester United striker Michael Owen has revealed he wants to become a manager after he hangs up his boots. Owen will enter the 14th season of his long career at United when the new Barclays Premier League campaign starts next month and has admitted he would like to see out his years at Old Trafford. But after that the 30-year-old England star wants to try his luck at management – and he says he is already picking up tips from United’s legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson. NEIL KILKENNY has vowed to make up for his World Cup heartache – by helping to fire Leeds back into the Premier League. The English-born Aussie had to watch the greatest tournament on the planet via TV while holidaying in Spain after failing to make coach Pim Verbeek’s final 23-man squad. But Kilkenny insists getting United back into the top flight would be “the best feeling in the world”. DAVID BECKHAM’S top-flight football career is OVER, according to new AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Beckham is battling to overcome the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered while playing for Milan in March and was at the Emirates Stadium with his family to see his former club draw 1-1 with Arsenal yesterday. But Allegri fears Beckham, 35, will never play for Milan or any big club ever again. Portsmouth have endured a miserable close season, with their tour of the United States blighted by all manner of problems, and the extent of the challenge facing Pompey when the season kicks off in 11 days time is only too apparent on the club’s official website. The club’s first team squad page lists just 14 players, several of whom are expected to leave Fratton Park before the close of the transfer window, and no goalkeepers. Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill faces a tough challenge this season.