MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - Wednesday, July 24, 2013: Liverpool take on Melbourne Victory during a preseason friendly match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

No Australia on Liverpool’s pre-season plans this summer

Liverpool will not head to Australia this summer as part of their pre-season tour, with Jurgen Klopp influencing a decision not to travel as much and instead remain in Europe for much of the summer.

Liverpool alternate each summer where their pre-season takes place – heading west to North America one year, then east to Asia and Australia the next.

This summer though, the decision has reportedly been made to only make a short trip to Asia – Shanghai and Hong Kong – and hold a training camp in Europe instead.

It’s a wise move, and one clearly influenced by Jurgen Klopp – who is said to not want to burden his players with too much travel ahead of the new season.

Last summer Klopp implemented a training camp in northern California, at Stanford University, in America. This summer, with no World Cup or Euros, will be a real opportunity to have the whole squad together for a good pre-season.

The games in Shanghai and Hong Kong are pencilled in for July 20 and 22.

The training camp in Europe could take place in Klopp’s native Germany, with a pre-season friendly against Hertha Berlin a potential to celebrate each team’s 125-year anniversary.

Liverpool are also likely to play some local friendlies before they head to Europe and Asia, while a return to holding one pre-season game at Anfield is expected now that the Main Stand is complete.

There could also be a testimonial for Lucas Leiva somewhere in the Reds’ summer plans.

The new Premier League season will begin on August 12.

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