Liverpool vs. Malaysia XI: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Liverpool round off their pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia with a trip to Kuala Lumpur's Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Friday for a clash against a Malaysian XI.
After victories against the True Thai All Stars, Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United, Reds manager Brendan Rodgers will be looking to make it four wins out of four during this warm-up schedule.
Malaysia has proved a lucrative market for Liverpool in the past, but can this tie be as beneficial?
Date: Friday, July 24
Time: 1:45 p.m. BST, 8:45 p.m. MYT (8:45 a.m. ET)
Venue: Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
TV Info: LFC TV
Live Stream: LFC TV GO
Opposition
The last time Liverpool faced a Malaysian XI was in 2011, with goals from Charlie Adam, David N'Gog, Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt sealing a 6-3 victory spurred by an exceptional performance from Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani.
This time however, as James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo reported on Wednesday, Liverpool will go up against a weakened side.
"Malaysian Super League clubs are unhappy with the timing of the exhibition game in the middle of their domestic season," Pearce wrote. "There have also been complaints about who will benefit financially from the lucrative showdown with Brendan Rodgers’ men."
Selangor trio Robert Cornthwaite, Afiq Azmi and Ahmad Hazwan Bakri have all failed to report after being called up, while Pahang's Dickson Nwakaeme and Police FA pair Ali Ashfaq and Dramane Traore are all also out of contention for manager Dollah Salleh.
Traore is currently the Malaysia Super League's top goalscorer.
Team News
There is little in terms of team news for the Reds, with Rodgers' squad leaving Australia unscathed.
A top-level performance from James Milner helped Liverpool to victory in Adelaide, with a goal from the former Manchester City midfielder added to by Danny Ings' first strike in Merseyside Red to secure a 2-0 win.
Milner has been a key figure throughout Liverpool's pre-season so far, and the 29-year-old is likely to start in Kuala Lumpur.
The likes of Simon Mignolet, Martin Skrtel, Nathaniel Clyne, Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana are all nearly guaranteed a place in Rodgers' starting lineup, with this group of familiar names representing key players for the Reds.
Rodgers will be faced with a selection quandary when it comes to Skrtel's centre-back partner, with both Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho impressing so far this summer.
Ings may pip Divock Origi to start at centre-forward, with the Belgian struggling with on-goal profligacy this pre-season—Ings' cameo performance against Adelaide impressed many Reds supporters.
At left-back, Rodgers will need to decide between a returning Alberto Moreno and the impressive Joe Gomez.
Elsewhere, Jordon Ibe, Lazar Markovic, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen will all be hoping to start, while youngsters Sheyi Ojo, Harry Wilson, Jordan Rossiter, Ryan Kent, Daniel Cleary and Joe Maguire will be looking to impress before the Reds make the trip back to Europe.
Players to Watch
Jordon Ibe
Laying on Milner's goal with a well-weighted low cross in Adelaide, Ibe made his first tangible mark on what has been a wholly impressive pre-season.
After the game, the 19-year-old told the club's tour website (h/t This is Anfield), "Hopefully now I will get a chance to play and prove to the manager that I can play in the Premier League."
Blessed with pace, strength and a mature tactical intelligence, Ibe is starting to hone his skills ahead of what could be a defining league campaign under Rodgers' management.
James Milner
Since arriving on Merseyside, Milner has produced a steady stream of strong performances.
With two goals in three games so far this pre-season, he is clearly relishing a central role under Rodgers at Liverpool.
A major contender to take up the Liverpool vice-captain's role, serving as Henderson's deputy, Milner will be looking to establish himself even further with a dominant display in Kuala Lumpur.
Jordan Rossiter
If 18-year-old midfielder Rossiter is given the chance to impress at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Liverpool's academy star could prove to Rodgers he is ready for a senior role for the Reds in 2015/16.
A tenacious tackler with great close control and a strong passing range, Rossiter has been—rather unfairly—compared to former captain Steven Gerrard in the past.
With Rodgers' squad decidedly light in terms of deep-lying midfielders, Rossiter could prove his worth on Friday.
Prediction: Malaysia XI 0-5 Liverpool
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