The upcoming friendly meetings with Tranmere Rovers and Wigan Athletic are vitally important to Liverpool's preparations for the new campaign, according to Ragnar Klavan.

But the defender is expecting two testing outings as he and his teammates balance their pre-season workload with their first taste of action this summer.

The Reds begin the build-up to 2017-18 in earnest when they take on Tranmere at Prenton Park this evening before facing the Latics on Friday, with both games being broadcast live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO.

Klavan told Liverpoolfc.com: "These games are really important to us achieving the goal of being ready for the beginning of the season.

"[Pre-season] games are not easy because we have a little bit harder training under us but they're really, really important."

The No.17 is taking part in his first full pre-season with LFC, having joined the club in late July last year.

He believes being at Melwood from the off will be beneficial, and added: "It's always best to start with the whole group then you're not a little bit behind.

"Everybody's at the same level so that's good."

Klavan also set out a simple aim for the upcoming campaign when asked how he is hoping to contribute in his second season at Anfield.

He said: "Give my best and help the team as much as I can."