Liverpool are reported to be in talks with the ‘L4’ group, a consortium put together by two US-based entertainment executives, which could lead to a takeover.

Prospective Liverpool investor Mike Jefferies has promised to back manager Rafael Benitez in the January transfer window should he succeed in buying into the club.

David Beckham is said to be on the verge of landing a role in a major football film.

The Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal is in talks to play the leading role in Goal! A planned trilogy of films about a young footballer’s rise to stardom.