Liverpool’s pre-season campaign kicks off next week, with the squad leaving for the Far East this coming Sunday. In this list below we take a look at all our upcoming fixtures as well as the players to look out for.
SEE MORE:
Summer signing XI – how we could line up with Firmino, Milner, Clyne, and co
Top 20 most valuable U-21 players in the world named: Sterling 1st while Emre Can & Liverpool starlet feature
Roberto Firmino’s first interview – Brazilian names Liverpool aims and ambitions
True Thai Premier League All Stars – Tuesday 14th July (2pm BST)
Who are they: As their name suggests, they are an all-star team made up of the best players from the Thai league. They were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea back in May, with youth team player Dominic Solanke scoring the only goal.
Key players: Their squad for this game is unlikely to become clear until closer to the time. Brazilian striker Diogo, who has scored 12 goals in 13 games for Buriram United so far this season, could be one to watch if he features.
Previous meetings: Liverpool have never played this incarnation of the Thai All Stars before. However, we did play a Thailand XI in 2013, with the Reds winning 3-0. Philippe Coutinho, Iago Aspas and Steven Gerrard scored the goals.
Brisbane Roar – Friday 17th July (9.45am BST)
Who are they: A top flight Australian team who finished in sixth place last season. Along with Melbourne Victory they are the most successful team in A-League history. They’ve won three titles, the last of which came in 2014.
Key players: Matt McKay, once of Rangers, is a veteran of the national team. Former Reading and Aldershot Town goalkeeper Jamie Young is also in their squad. The 29-year-old is a former England Under-20 international.
Previous meetings: None.
Adelaide United – Monday 20th July (10.30am BST)
Who are they: Another top flight Australian team, they finished third last season. They are twice runners-up in the A-League Finals, most recently in 2009. They won the domestic cup last year, there first major trophy success.
Key players: Veteran Spanish forward Pablo Sanchez is one of three European players in their ranks and has scored plenty of goals in the past. Argentine midfielder Marcelo Carrusca also had a good record for them.
Previous meetings: None.
Malaysia XI – Friday 24th July (1.45pm BST)
Who are they: The Malaysian XI have been playing games since the 1960s, when they took on a British Army team and won 4-3. Their last outing came in May 2015 when they lost 2-1 to two Harry Kane goals for Tottenham.
Key players: Defender Thiago Junio scored their goal against Spurs. Captain Mohd Aidil Zafuan, another defensive player, and striker Darren Lok – who has played non-league football in England – is also worth a watch.
Previous meetings: An incredible match saw us beat them 6-3 in 2011. David Ngog scored twice, while Charlie Adam and Maxi Rodriguez also found the next as we surged into a 4-1 lead. Malaysia pulled two goals back before Dirk Kuyt and Rodriguez netted in stoppage time.
HJK – Saturday 1st August (5.30pm BST)
Who are they: The Helsinki-based team were champions in Finland in 2014 and currently sit top of the 2015 table, four points clear of their nearest challengers who do have two games in hand. They’ve won the title for the last six years in a row.
Key players: Markus Heikkinen, formerly of Luton Town, is their captain. Winger Demba Savage has scored 40 goals in 93 league games since 2012, while Japanese international striker Mike Havenaar is also very capable.
Previous meetings: We played HJK in the second round of the 1982-83 European Cup. We lost the first leg 1-0 in Finland but then won 5-0 at Anfield, where Kenny Dalglish was among the scorers. Hamburg were the eventual winners of the competition, beating Juventus in the final.
