Liverpool explained their reasons for choosing Melbourne as the place they would play their first friendly in Australia.
The Reds travel down under to take on A-League club Melbourne Victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on July 24 and sales director Olly Dale told a press conference earlier this week why the Anfield outfit decided on Melbourne.
"Our sense is that this is the sporting capital of the southern hemisphere. We think long and hard about where we go," he said.
"We have few opportunities to play abroad so when we do get the chance we think about those decisions carefully. Melbourne is a city which is quite simply sports-mad and not only the venue (is attractive), but also the surrounds of the MCG.
"The people here made it very easy for us to come here. Everyone that has been associated with this game has made it a simple process for us and we are all aware of the incredible support for the Melbourne Victory and also for Liverpool around Melbourne. It was a very straightforward decision for us."
And Dale added that Liverpool were also looking to add to the ever0improving landscape of Australian football.
"We are looking to continue to develop what we think is the world's greatest football family and we are looking to be able to provide a great experience here at this incredible stadium," he added.
"(We want to) make more friends for the Liverpool Football Club, have a great game against the guys from the Victory and play a small part in the continued development of the game here in Australia, which the FFA (Football Federation Australia) is overseeing, what seems to be a very rapid development at this point in time."
