Liverpool vs. Adelaide United at Adelaide Oval confirmed by State Government
LIVERPOOL will now play Adelaide United at Adelaide Oval on Monday, July 20, a day after Port Adelaide and the Crows face-off in Showdown 39.
The match was officially announced by the SA State Government today after the date was changed from July14.
Acting Tourism Minister Tom Koutsantonis — a Liverpool fan since childhood. — grinned like a Cheshire cat at the announcement this morning.
“The greatest team in the world is coming to Adelaide,’’ he said. “The eyes of the world will be on this oval (Adelaide) the newest and the best stadium in Australia.
“And make no mistake football clubs like Liverpool don’t come to second rate stadiums they go to first class stadiums and with them come their supporters.”
Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre also confirmed his team’s trip Down Under.
“Pre-season is an important time for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season and the matches against Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United are an exciting part of that preparation,” he said.
“Giving our supporters a chance to see the team up close, no matter how far away from Anfield they live.
“We visited Australia for the first time two years ago and the support we received from our Australian fans was incredible.
Liverpool FC has over 600,000 supporters in Australia and we look forward to meeting as many of them as possible while we are in the country. “
Liverpool’s squad is also expected to be invited by its former fitness guru Darren Burgess — now with Port Adelaide — to the Showdown.
The Adelaide Oval blockbuster, originally slated for July 14, was changed to accommodate the Liverpool v Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, July 17.
Liverpool is tipped to hold an open training session with Coopers Stadium destined to first host some of the world’s greatest soccer players.
Adelaide Entertainment Corporation chief executive Anthony Kirchner said Coopers Stadium would be an ideal location for Liverpool training sessions.
“We haven’t had any recent discussions (about hosting Liverpool) for training,’’ Kirchner said.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet.”
Reds superstar Balotelli has a laugh. Source: Getty Images
Liverpool will meet Adelaide in its home strip with a new kit sponsor — New Balance — while SA’s Reds will be forced to play in an alternate kit sources have revealed.
Liverpool currently boasts international stars including Italy striker Mario Balotelli, Croatian international Dejan Lovran and England internationals, striker Daniel Sturrige and winger Raheem Sterling.
Manager Brendan Rodgers coached former Adelaide United winger Fabio Ferreira (Central Coast) at Chelsea.
Liverpool also has a strong Australian presence with gloveman Brad Jones and young left back Brad Smith, 20, in its current squad.
Liverpool is expected to attract a record soccer crowd at Adelaide Oval after United drew more than 33,000 fans — a record for SA — to watch the Reds host Melbourne Victory last October.
It will be the first time Adelaide hosts the giants of soccer after Liverpool played in front of more than 95,000 fans against Melbourne Victory at the MCG in 2013.
The Adelaide Oval clash will also be book ended by the Australian edition of the International Champions Cup where Real Madrid host Roma on July 18 before Manchester City hosts Roma on July 21 both at the MCG.
City then hosts Real on July 24 in Melbourne.
Originally published as Date confirmed: Liverpool is coming to Adelaide
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