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Luis Suarez in Liverpool squad, but Sturridge misses out

Liverpool have included Luis Suarez in their 27-man squad to travel to the Far East and Australia.

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The Reds play pre-season friendlies against Indonesia, Melbourne Victory and Thailand before returning to Europe for final preparation games against Olympiakos, Valerenga and Celtic.

Despite being heavily linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, Suarez is named in the squad to travel.

He is scheduled to meet up with his teammates in Melbourne for their friendly match down under on 24th July.

The Uruguayan international was given extended leave by the club this summer, along with Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina and compatriot Sebastian Coates, after they competed for their countries at the FIFA Confederations Cup last month.

On Monday, Liverpool Managing Director Ian Ayre revealed he still had hopes the club could convince Suarez to stay, despite the reported interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Steven Gerrard is also included in the squad as he enters the final stages of his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery at the back end of the 2012/13 season.

Daniel Sturridge Liverpool

As expected, striker Daniel Sturridge will remain on Merseyside to recover from the ankle injury he sustained whilst on international duty last month.

Brendan Rodgers includes several young players in the squad but there is no place for Dani Pacheco, who was withdrawn at the last minute. He revealed on his twitter:

The Reds’ four new summer signings – Simon Mignolet, Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas – all travel.

The full Liverpool squad for the games against Indonesia, Melbourne Victory and Thailand is:

Jones, Johnson, Enrique, Toure, Agger, Alberto, Gerrard, Aspas, Coutinho, Assaidi, Henderson, Downing, Spearing, Lucas, Mignolet, Allen, Borini, Sterling, Kelly, Skrtel, Flanagan, Wisdom, Robinson, Ibe, Suarez, Coates, Reina.

The first game, against an Indonesian XI in Jakarta, kicks off at 2.30pm UK time this Saturday, 20th July 2013.

With his good media training and Liverpool’s PR team behind him, Steven Gerrard was saying all the right things as the squad prepared to fly out for their world tour.

He told the club’s official tour website, “Luckily this year we’re going to Asia and Australia and that’s great. I’m really looking forward to the three places we’re going to be visiting and it’ll be great to spend some time with our supporters over there.

“They don’t get to see us in the flesh very often. I think all the players realise that we have to give something back when we’re over there and spend as much time as we can with them, try to get some wins and perform well for them.

“All the lads are excited and can’t wait to get over there.”

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