Liverpool’s End-of-Season Plans: Can the Australia Friendly Be Beneficial? | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Planned Australia Tour: An Opportunity or Over-Extension?

As Liverpool prepare to celebrate what is expected to be their Premier League title win, an unexpected post-season trip to Australia is reportedly in the works. According to The Australian, following the end of the Premier League campaign, the Reds could be flying more than 10,000 miles to Melbourne for a friendly against the A-League All-Stars. While this presents a lucrative opportunity for the club, it also raises concerns over the potential toll on the squad’s already packed schedule.

The Friendly: Liverpool’s Role in Melbourne

Liverpool’s visit to Australia would see them play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a stadium with a capacity of 100,024, as part of the build-up to the A-League Grand Final. The game is set to take place on the weekend of May 30-June 1, coinciding with the Grand Final weekend. The Australian officials have been in talks with several top European clubs, but Liverpool has reportedly been their “preferred option” for this lucrative fixture.

Photo: IMAGO

With the Champions League no longer a concern for Liverpool, after their exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the club’s calendar has opened up. This means that Liverpool could take part in the friendly without clashing with any major continental commitments. However, this news has sparked some debate regarding the timing of the trip. With the Premier League title all but secured for Arne Slot’s side, it seems that this friendly could be a way to cap off a highly successful season.

Timing and Player Availability

As mentioned in the report, this friendly would occur before the contracts of some of Liverpool’s biggest stars, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah, expire. This could make it the final appearance for these key players in Liverpool red, a moment that could add an extra layer of excitement for the fans. However, the timing of the match, right after a gruelling season, means the players would be embarking on a long-haul trip at the end of a physically demanding campaign.

Photo: IMAGO

While the tour would undoubtedly be a money-spinner for the club, the prospect of such a long journey adds yet another fixture to an already packed schedule. With the Premier League title likely secured, players and staff might find it a challenge to maintain focus and energy as they travel across the world for what could be considered a mere exhibition.

Liverpool’s Post-Season Schedule: Fatigue or Opportunity?

Liverpool’s trip to Australia is not the only part of their post-season plans. According to reports, the club is also expected to travel back to the Far East for pre-season fixtures in Japan and Hong Kong. This could add further strain on a squad that has already been involved in high-pressure competitions both domestically and in Europe.

The 2017 post-season tour to Australia was similarly viewed with mixed feelings. Liverpool won 3-0 against Sydney FC, but it also attracted criticism for the toll it took on the players’ recovery time. The same criticism is likely to surface again if the club does indeed go ahead with this post-season friendly, especially with such a packed summer schedule ahead.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

The excitement of seeing our team travel to Australia and showcase their talent in front of such a large fanbase is undeniably thrilling. However, one cannot ignore the concern over the added pressure on the squad. It is well known that international friendlies often come at a cost, both in terms of player fatigue and the risk of injury. With players like Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, and Salah potentially playing their last match for the club in Australia, the emotional stakes are high, but we must consider the practical implications of such a long journey.

Liverpool’s commitment to the fanbase in Australia cannot be understated. The club has a massive following down under, and such a trip would undoubtedly strengthen the bond with fans across the globe. However, with the club already planning pre-season tours in Japan and Hong Kong, this Australia friendly could ultimately add unnecessary strain to a squad that is already dealing with a congested fixture list.

Ultimately, Liverpool’s long-term goals, including recovery and pre-season preparation, should be prioritised over commercial opportunities. While the financial rewards of the Australia trip will no doubt be tempting, the club’s performance in the 2024/25 season will depend on the fitness and freshness of its players. If the players are overburdened by post-season commitments, it could harm Liverpool’s ability to start the next season strongly. Perhaps, then, the trip should be reconsidered or scheduled for a less demanding time.