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In February, Liverpool's lucrative pre-season tour of Australia is set to net the club around £10 million by facing local sides in Adelaide and Brisbane in July before heading to Malaysia to face a national team XI at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The games against Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar have appearance fees, gate receipts, and merchandising headed Liverpool's way to make the trip a worthwhile financial investment along with offering fans a chance to see their beloved team in action.
Now news has broken of a further date being added to the tour. Liverpool are believed to be close, according to the Liverpool Echo, to announcing a match against a Thailand Bangkok All Stars XI after a deal to play in Macau broke down with organisers. Thailand appears to be the preferred replacement to Vietnam, and the game will ensure that a sixth visit will be made by Liverpool to the country. Liverpool may be struggling with the modern realities of football finance, judgement in transfer windows, and a lack of foresight on the importance of commercial income in the 1990s, but boast a huge following worldwide.
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Liverpool were in Thailand just two years ago, and Thai fans will have another opportunity to see the Reds take to the field sooner than expected. It is a shame that Liverpool couldn't agree a trip to Macau as travelling to new regions on pre-season tours gives different fans a chance to engage with the club more closely, and fans can't always make trips within the same continent with schedules, finances, and responsibilities often proving to be a barrier. Interestingly, Chelsea will arrive in Thailand later this month with some insignificant trophy to parade and will play a Thailand Bangkok All Stars XI too. Perhaps Rodgers needs to make a statement by bettering Chelsea's result in July as a show of intent for next season.
Liverpool will face Thailand Bangkok All Stars XI on July 14 in Bangkok.
