Breaking Down Liverpool's Pre-Season Friendly Opponents

Liverpool kick off their pre-season tour next week, and Brendan Rodgers will be looking to use this series of friendlies to prepare his side for a renewed charge on the Premier League and beyond in 2015/16.

The Reds manager will be hoping to put their miserable sixth-placed finish behind them, starting with a strong pre-season.

Liverpool will travel to Thailand, Australia, Kuala Lumpur and finally Finland as part of their summer preparations, playing five friendly games.

But who are their opponents this pre-season?

Thai All-Stars

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Date: Tuesday, July 14

Kick-off: 2 p.m. BST

Venue: Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok 

Two years ago, Liverpool travelled to the Rajamangala Stadium to take on the Thailand national team—winning 3-0—and this summer the Reds return with a tie against the True Thai Premier League All-Stars as their first pre-season fixture.

This choice Thai XI most notably lined up against Chelsea last summer, with the likes of Adisak Kraisorn, Pokkhao Anan and Teerasil Dangda pitting their talents against the Blues' star-studded lineup.

Recalling the Reds' trip to Thailand in 2013, midfielder Joe Allen told the club's official tour website last month how he was looking forward to returning to Bangkok.

"I'm very excited. I obviously had the pleasure of going there in 2013 and it was a real eye-opener for me," he said.

"I'd heard about the fantastic support but to get out there and experience it firsthand was special."

Expect the 50,000-seater stadium to be packed out as Liverpool begin their pre-season tour.

Brisbane Roar

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Date: Friday, July 17

Kick-off: 9:45 a.m. BST

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Following their stop in Bangkok, Rodgers' squad will fly to Australia, with their first in a two-game stay seeing the Reds take on A-League outfit Brisbane Roar, fresh from their own sixth-placed finish in 2014/15.

The Liverpool tour website lists Devante Clut, Thomas Broich, Henrique De Andrade Silva and captain Matt McKay as key players for Brisbane, and described Broich as "the Roar's superstar."

On the 34-year-old German it continued: "Many observers [have described] him as the best-ever import to the A-League."

Penny for former Liverpool and Newcastle Jets striker Emile Heskey's thoughts?

Expect the Roar to represent one of the toughest challenges of Liverpool's pre-season tour—they will certainly test the Reds' energy reserves after a summer of relaxation.

Adelaide United

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Date: Monday, July 20

Kick-off: 10:30 a.m. BST

Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

As the Roar advanced through the A-League's Finals series, their progress was thwarted by Liverpool's next opponent on their Australian tour: Adelaide United.

After finishing third in the table, Adelaide went on to the semi-finals of the post-league knockout tournament, downing Brisbane in a 2-1 quarter-final clash along the way, before being ousted by the impressive Sydney FC.

Adelaide boasted the biggest league win of the season, defeating the Jets 7-0 in January.

They will take on the Reds at their home ground full of confidence, and Pablo Sanchez, Marcelo Carrusca and captain Eugene Galekovic will be key players for United.

Malaysia XI

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Date: Friday, July 24

Kick-off: 1:45 p.m. (BST)

Venue: Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur

The last time the Premier League clashed with the Malaysia League XI was in May, with two goals from Harry Kane securing Tottenham Hotspur a 2-1 post-season victory.

Now, this selection of the top players from the Malaysian League will take on the Reds, with their opposition looking to warm up rather than cool down this time around.

Captain and bullish centre-back Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak will be charged with keeping the likes of Divock Origi, Jordon Ibe and Lazar Markovic at bay.

But as evidenced by their close-fought battle with Spurs earlier this summer, this Malaysia XI won't make it easy for Liverpool.

HJK Helsinki

Jussi Nukari/Associated Press

Date: Saturday, August 1

Kick-off: 5:30 p.m. BST

Venue: Olympic Stadium, Helsinki 

Playing out a customary pre-season flirtation following the announcement of Liverpool's final pre-season clash away to Finnish champions HJK Helsinki, both sides' commercial heads hotly anticipated this Olympic Stadium clash.

The Reds' chief commercial officer Billy Hogan told the club's official tour website that: "LFC has a massive fanbase in Scandinavia and, of course, in Finland because of Sami Hyypia."

Meanwhile, Helsinki CEO Aki Riihilahti concurred: "HJK want to play the best possible international games in our preparation for Champions League qualification, and this is also a great event for the fans as Liverpool has a special place in Finnish hearts because of Sami Hyypia."

Tapping into the Hyypia-hysteria, rounding off their pre-season tour in Finland was a wise move by the Reds.

But the likes of Markus Heikkinen, Demba Savage and former Nottingham Forest midfielder Guy Moussi will ensure this isn't just a money-spinning run-out for Rodgers' squad.

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