Liverpool in talks with Aston Villa, Newcastle for pre-season friendlies

According to the Echo, Liverpool are currently locked in negotiations with two Premier League clubs – Aston Villa and Newcastle United – over arranging pre-season friendlies.

With the new Premier League season just a month and a half away, plans for the pre-season are started to get chalked out as Jurgen Klopp & co. look to reclaim their throne from Manchester City.

The 2021/22 season in the English top-flight kicks off on August 14, with Liverpool intent on playing at least one friendly against a Premier League team before the campaign begins.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool speaks to Sky Sports prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield on September 12, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images) — Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. (GETTY Images)

Talks of a friendly with arch-rivals Manchester United had taken place but the plans were scrapped last month, following the events ahead of the Reds’ Premier League game at Old Trafford which led to the fixture being postponed.

It is said that the Merseysiders are keen on avoiding a pre-season meeting against any team that they will face in the early parts of the season. A friendly against Spanish outfit Osasuna was also considered but the travel restrictions in place meant that was also a no-go.

As a result, Liverpool are now in talks to arrange a pre-season friendly with either Aston Villa or Newcastle United, before they open their campaign against newly-promoted Norwich City. The said contest would potentially be held at Anfield.

Liverpool could face Steve Bruce's Newcastle in a pre-season friendly — Liverpool could face Steve Bruce’s Newcastle in a pre-season friendly

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Most of Liverpool’s players are expected to be back for pre-season training on July 12, with the ones that are away at the Euros or the Copa America likely to be given a longer break.

There will be a training camp abroad scheduled – Austria, Portugal, Spain and France being the options considered – where friendlies will take place, before Klopp & co. return to England and face a PL opposition before the league campaign starts.