Academy sides set for tour of Ireland
Liverpool's Academy youngsters are ready to step up their pre-season preparations as they embark on a 10-day tour of Ireland, with the U18s first in action at Cork City on Saturday night.
The U18 and U21 squads will play two games each and anticipation in the Emerald Isle is high ahead of the Reds' arrival.
Neil Critchley's U18s play Cork City on Saturday night at the Turner's Cross Stadium, at 7.45pm BST, and next face Galway United on Saturday July 18, at the Eamon Deacy Park Ground, at 4pm.
Michael Beale's U21s face Waterford United on Friday July 17, at the RSC ground, at 7.45pm, before a trip to Dublin to take on UCD at the UCD Bowl at 3pm.
Ahead of the trip, Beale said: "We are really looking forward to the tour and we have some great games in prospect.
"We've had a good week of training after our break and the lads can't wait to get back on the field again.
"This first week back is about making sure we don't pick up any injuries or get any silly knocks and everyone is fit.
"These are fantastic tours for the Academy because we get the players away for 10 days together in lovely surroundings, and it's a great chance for us to try one or two things out in training and during the games.
"In our squad we have Alex O'Hanlon and Daniel Cleary who are Irish boys and they are excited to be going back.
"Liverpool has a great following in Ireland and throughout the world, as we know, so it is fantastic to play these friendly games.
"We have a good pre-season planned which will get us ready for our first league game against Chelsea on August 9."
Domestically, Beale's U21s will also face games with Chester at the Swansway Stadium on Wednesday July 29, at 7.45pm, and Morecambe at the Globe Arena on Saturday August 1 at 3pm.
"We also play games against Morecambe's first team, which is a week before their season starts so that will be very tough for us, and Chester, who we have a great relationship with," Beale added.
"We will also travel to play FC Luzern, who are managed by former Liverpool player Markus Babbel, and we will also face the Denmark U20 team.
"We are playing first teams from abroad and at home and this was to give our players a huge challenge in pre-season, which is important."