Liverpool's summer plans: pre-season, US tour, Super Cup...
The Champions League holders are back in pre-season training with the club planning ahead to the 2019-20 campaign.
Liverpool's pre-season activity is now well underway as first team coach Jurgen Klopp faces his first test of ongoing preparation as they face neighbouring side Tranmere Rovers. The 'Reds' will participate in seven pre-season games before getting their Premier League campaign underway, face Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup and go head-to-head with Manchester City (Community shield) in a busy July and August. Here are the key dates for the next six weeks as Liverpool get into shape for the new season.
July 11th: Friendly vs. Tranmere Rovers. Recently promoted neighbours Tranmere provide the first test for Klopp's men with the game at Prenton Park kicking off at 20:30 CEST.
July 14th: Friendly vs. Bradford City. Valley Parade, now known as the Northern Commercials Stadium is the setting for the second pre-season test as the "Bantams" provide opposition to the "Reds". The action gets underway at 16:00 CEST with the game generating funds for The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
July 20th: US Tour vs Borussia Dortmund. The 77,000 capacity stadium at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana is the venue for the first game in the USA with Bundesliga outfit Borussia providing opposition at the home of "The Fighting Irish". Kick-off 02:00 CEST.
July 22th: US Tour vs Sevilla. The English side face the LaLiga side and it will be a repeat of the Europa League final in Basel in 2016 where the Andalusian side came from behind to secure a 3-1 win. The game gets underway at 00:00 (CEST) and will be staged at Boston Red Sox's iconic Fenway Park.
July 25th: US Tour vs Sporting CP. The Portuguese cup winners provide the opposition at the home of NY Yankees, Yankee Stadium. The famous ground is no stranger to football with MLS side NYC FC playing home games at the baseball arena. Kick off 02:00 CEST.
July 28th: Friendly vs Napoli. The home of Scottish rugby, Murrayfield in Edinburgh is the next stop for Klopp's men with Carlo Ancelotti's Serie A side providing attractive opposition in the capital. (18:00 CEST start).
July 31st: Friendly vs Lyon. The Stade de Geneve in Switzerland is the venue for the final friendly game of a busy July for the Champions League holders with Ligue 1 opposition in the form of Olympique with the action commencing at 19:00 CEST.
August 4th: Community Shield vs. Manchester City. The traditional curtain raiser to the new season sees Liverpool face double winners Pep Guardiola's Manchester City with the action at Wembley starting at 16:00 CEST.
August 9th: Premier League vs. Norwich City. The 2019-20 Premier League gets underway at Anfield with Liverpool welcoming newly promoted Norwich at the curtain raiser to the new season at 21:00 CEST.
August 14th: UEFA Super Cup vs Chelsea. Another trophy on the line for Klopp's side in Istanbul with Europa League (18-19) winners Chelsea providing opposition in Istanbul at Besiktas' ground.
August 17th: Premier League vs. Southampton away (kick-off 16:00 CEST)
August 24th: Premier League vs. Arsenal (kick-off 18:30 CEST)
August 29th: Champions League group stage draw in Nyon.
August 31st: Premier League vs. Burnley (away) 18:30 kick off CEST.