It's a busy weekend from a Liverpool perspective, and that's not even counting any potential announcements from FSG about the managerial and/or director roles. One international friendly is already down, and there's plenty more on the horizon to bridge the gap from one week to the next until action in Poland and the Ukraine gets up and running in full.
Luis Suarez played all ninety minutes in Uruguay's 1-1 draw with Russia in Moscow and had a goal to show for his efforts, while Sebastian Coates made the bench but didn't see any time. The goal from Suarez was easily created and well taken, and without a return to England on the immediate horizon, it's nice to see him as part of a Uruguayan side that pretty much play every match as though there's something on the line. Without any formal competition on tap, it'll be great to see Suarez come back to Liverpool fully rested and ready to go in August. Also, there's apparently other stuff to talk keep talking about too. Wheeeee.
Suarez and Coates weren't the only squad members with a chance at action over the weekend, and there's a fair few that we can expect to see over the next couple days. There's links for streams below, and if there's viewing options that I haven't listed, feel free to let us know in the comments. Friendlies don't make for the most compelling viewing, but it's better than nothing, and there's at least promotion on the line in England's lower levels to add a bit of drama to an otherwise meaningless slate.
Wiziwig.eu
MyP2P.bz
StopStream.tv
FromSport.com
FirstRowSports.eu
CoolSport.tv
Saturday:
International Friendly: Denmark v. Brazil
2:30PM BST/9:30AM EST
GolTVDaniel Agger's in the Denmark squad that's making their final preparations for Euros, and he'll likely see a few minutes against Mano Menezes' Lucas-less Brazil in Hamburg.
League One Playoff Final: Huddersfield Town v. Sheffield United
3:00PM BST/10:00AM EST
Sky Sports 1/Fox Soccer ChannelJordan Rhodes and Huddersfield head to Wembley in search of promotion to the Championship, where they'll face the Sheffield side that finished nine points ahead of them in the regular season and narrowly got past Stevenage in the semi-finals. There's been plenty of talk about Rhodes heading to the Premier League, with Liverpool linked at one point, but all eyes will be on victory tomorrow. And probably a trophy, like when West Ham defeated Blackpool last weekend, because nothing says silverware like coming in third.
International Friendly: Poland v. Slovakia
4:00PM BST/11:00AM ESTLike Agger, Martin Skrtel's an integral part of his national side's defense, except there's no Euros to look forward to for Liverpool's player of the season. A few friendlies on tap before a well-earned vacation for Skrtel, the first of which comes against one of the co-host, with the next against Dirk Kuyt's Netherlands side.
International Friendly: Spain v. Serbia
5:00PM BST/12:00PM EST
ESPN3.comPepe Reina and David De Gea play backup to Iker Casillas for now, with Victor Valdes likely to play a role now that Barcelona's all wrapped up. Maybe a half for Reina, but like we've said before, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for him to enjoy a summer off after his worst season with Liverpool.
International Friendly: Holland v. Bulgaria
7:00PM BST/2:00PM EST
ESPN3.comThere's been a spot for Dirk Kuyt in the Dutch eleven regardless of his form during the club season, which will serve him well this summer given his lack of consistent playing time with Liverpool. He'll see minutes against Bulgaria and Skrtel's Slovakia ahead of their last warm-up with Northern Ireland, and will likely have a significant role to play in Poland/Ukraine.
International Friendly: Norway v. England
7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST
ITV1/ESPN3.comAndy Carroll and Steven Gerrard are starting for sure, and it wouldn't be shocking to see Martin Kelly get a start at right back with Glen Johnson out with a toe infection. Stewart Downing's in the mix as well, leaving Liverpool with a very real chance to have four players on the pitch from the start. Throw Jordan Henderson in and there's a possibility that, even with Johnson ruled out, five from the current squad could play a part.
Sunday:
League Two Playoff Final: Cheltenham Town v. Crewe Alexandria
3:00PM BST/10:00AM EST
Sky Sports 1/Fox Soccer ChannelCheltenham and Crewe, both of whom finished well of the pace of the automatic promotion spots in League Two, face off at Wembley in the national stadium's last final of the year. Cheltenham eased past fifth-placed finishers Torquay United 4-1 in the semi-finals, while Crewe edged out Southend United 3-2 to advance to the final.
International Friendly: Mexico v. Wales
8:05PM BST/3:05PM ESTNew Welsh manager Chris Coleman sees Craig Bellamy as an integral part of the nation's World Cup qualifying campaign, but given his age and the impact of Gary Speed's death, there's no telling just how much of a role Bellamy will have going forward. He's in the squad for Sunday's match at the Meadowlands, though, and it'd be nice if he was able to extend his career for both club and country.
We'll be back with any news as it breaks over the next few days, but for now enjoy the opener against Russia from Luis Suarez and hope there's similar chances taken when the season gets up and running in a few months.