With a return to the United States and a prestige friendly with Spanish giants Barcelona already announced, Liverpool have added a number of dates to what’s shaping up to be a busy pre-season for the Anfield outfit.
Prior to their tour of North America, the Reds will square off with some domestic opposition; a trip to Prenton Park and a showdown with Tranmere Rovers starts things off on the 8th of July before a meeting with League One side Fleetwood Town follows five days later. It’s been a few years since Liverpool have visited the DW Stadium, but they’ll be back on familiar grounds when they take on newly promoted Championship side Wigan Athletic on July 17th before rounding out their mini-England tour against Huddersfield Town three days later.
“Jurgen’s first pre-season will be pretty key,” said Liverpool favorite Gary McAllister, speaking at the announcement of the Reds meeting with Barcelona. “You’ve seen already since he arrived that his tactic is about physicality. It’s demanding. It’s hard-working. But it needs organisation as well. When one presses everyone else has to do it as well,” he explained. “There’s been no time to emphasise that to the players because it’s just been game after game. It’s been: play the game, rehabilitate for the next game. There’s been no time to work on the training ground. That’s where pre-season, with new players coming in [is important].”
With the European Championships going on in France this summer, pre-season preparations will be more hectic than usual considering a large part of Klopp’s squad will be off on international duty. Depending on how far their respective countries go in the competition, a number of key players could be unavailable for the bulk of pre-season with Liverpool expected to give at least a short break to those that are returning from the Euros.
Liverpool’s full pre-season schduele as it currently stands:
July 8:Tranmere Rovers v Liverpool – Prenton Park. 7pm BST.
July 13:Fleetwood Town v Liverpool – Highbury Stadium. 7pm BST.
July 17:Wigan Athletic v Liverpool – DW Stadium. KO 4pm BST.
July 20:Huddersfield Town v Liverpool – John Smith’s Stadium. 7.45pm BST.
July 27:Liverpool v Chelsea – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California. 8.30pm Pacific time (4.30am BST, July 28).
July 30:Liverpool v AC Milan – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California. 7pm Pacific time (3am BST, July 31).
August 6:Liverpool v FC Barcelona – Wembley. 5pm BST.
