Liverpool ended the 2018/19 campaign with a sixth Champions League title to their name, but their preparations for next season could be impacted by a less than ideal summer period.
International commitments will mean many of Liverpool’s squad won’t have much of a break, with players taking part in the Nations League Finals, Copa America and Africa Cup of Nations.
However, the club have already announced their first set of pre-season fixtures starting with an eight-day tour of the United States during July.
They will take on Borussia Dortmund at the Notre Dame Stadium, Indiana, on July 19, before going head-to-head with Sevilla in Boston at Fenway Park two days later.
The Reds round-off the tour against Sporting Lisbon in New York at the Yankee Stadium on July 24, with the two sides playing for the Western Union Cup.
Bookmakers will be offering numerous different types of bet opportunities during the tour, giving punters the chance to boost their bankroll ahead of the new season.
Liverpool are priced at 5/2 to win the Premier League title for the first ever time, but those odds could be cut if they impress in the USA and during the rest of their pre-season fixtures.
Their schedule could include a match at Murrayfield in Scotland on July 28 or 29. Liverpool had been in discussions with Spurs about using their newly opened stadium for a game ahead of the new season, but those talks have been scrapped.
Club bosses are now exploring the possibility of heading to Edinburgh to potentially play Serie A side Napoli at the home of Scottish rugby.
The venue has staged football matches previously, with both Hearts and Hibernian hosting friendlies against Barcelona there. Murrayfield was also used for the Scottish League Cup semi-final tie between Celtic and Hearts back in October 2018.
Liverpool will then turn their attentions to the FA Community Shield at Wembley against Manchester City on the first weekend in August.
City pipped Liverpool to the Premier League title by just one point last season and the Reds will undoubtedly be eager to gain a modicum of revenge at the national stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side are currently priced at 8/13 to win their third successive title and the game will be a useful yardstick of the two sides’ chances next term.
Liverpool pre-season schedule
- July 19 – Borussia Dortmund – Notre Dame Stadium, Indiana
- July 21 – Sevilla – Fenway Park, Boston
- July 24 – Sporting Lisbon – Yankee Stadium, New York
- July 28/29 – Napoli – Murrayfield, Scotland (TBC)
- August 3/4 – Manchester City – Wembley, London
The 2019/20 Premier League fixtures will be released on Thursday, June 13, with the season kicking-off on Saturday, August 10.
