01 June 2023 , 19:40
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Liverpool are planning to play a 'home' pre-season friendly at the home of Preston North End, which has led the Championship outfit to ask if they can play their first fixture of the campaign away from Deepdale.
Jurgen Klopp is aiming to give his players one last training game on Monday, August 7 in the UK before the new Premier League season starts on Saturday August 12. Preston's season in the Championship is set to kick-off two days prior to when the friendly at Deepdale has been scheduled for.
There is also the chance that Preston are drawn at home in the Carabao Cup, which would take place on Tuesday, August 8. There is understandable reluctance from their end over using their pitch three times in the space of four days.
As a result, Preston have requested that their opening game of the Championship season be an away fixture, according to the Mail. Liverpool had already done the same when it comes to their Premier League campaign. The Reds hierarchy want their first league fixture to be away while work continues on the Anfield Road stand.
While the £80million project is nearly complete, it is believed that extra time will be needed to carry out test events to ensure everything is in order. It is unlikely those tests will be completed in time for the opening day of the league season.
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Liverpool want to use Deepdale Stadium for their final pre-season friendlyThe Reds have a packed pre-season schedule awaiting them that will see them clock up a serious amount of air miles. Klopp's side will play two games in Germany, before heading all the way to Singapore to take on Leicester and Bayern Munich.
The desire to sign off their pre-season efforts closer to home has led to making this request to use Preston's stomping ground. Liverpool have a stellar working relationship with Preston, who are expected to see a big financial benefit to hosting the final friendly before the real action starts.
The two clubs share a legend in Bill Shankly, with Preston naming a stand after the Scotsman given he spent the majority of his playing career there before achieving managerial greatness at Anfield.
Preston's request to be on the road for their opening game is almost certain to be accepted by the EFL. However, the club are also thought to be prepared to play at home should they have to if their request is denied.
It is currently not yet clear who Liverpool's opponents at Deepdale will be.