Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool planning for Anfield friendly ahead of Premier League opener

Liverpool are looking to arrange another friendly to further bolster preparations ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

The Reds are planning to play a final warm-up game at Anfield next Saturday, although no opponent has yet been finalised.

Supporters will not be allowed inside the stadium, despite speculation a 'test' event could be a possibility following Brighton's friendly with Chelsea on Saturday when 2,500 fans were allowed to attend.

While Liverpool will next week be without a group of players on duty for their respective countries in the UEFA Nations League, a significant number of senior squad members are without international commitments given the postponement of South American, African and Asian World Cup qualifiers.

And Jurgen Klopp wants to take advantage of a final chance to build the fitness of his squad ahead of the Premier League champions beginning the defence of their crown when they entertain promoted Leeds United on September 12.

The friendly would be similar to when Liverpool returned from action after the three-month lockdown by beating Championship side Blackburn Rovers 6-0 behind closed doors at Anfield in June.

Liverpool have already played two friendlies during their shortened pre-season, beating Stuttgart 3-0 and drawing 2-2 at Red Bull Salzburg, the latter in front of 1,250 fans at the Red Bull Arena in Austria.

They were then beaten on penalties by Arsenal in the Community Shield on Saturday.

Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip, Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri are among a group of Liverpool players yet to kick a ball during the warm-up programme.

  • Take our LFC transfer survey and let us know what you think the Reds need this summer HERE

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.