LIVERPOOL SET FOR BLOCKBUSTER CLASH WITH A-LEAGUE ALL-STARS
English Premier League giants Liverpool are set to face the A-League All-Stars in May, with a blockbuster MCG showdown tipped to draw close to 100,000 fans. The Reds’ Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain clears the path for them to head to Australia after their final Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on May 26 (AEDT).
The match is expected to take place during A-League grand final week, a few days after Liverpool’s domestic season wraps up. The A-League decider is scheduled for the weekend of May 31-June 1, creating a perfect window for the Reds to light up Melbourne with their global star power.
The Australian Professional Leagues and the Victorian government have reportedly been in discussions with several top European clubs, but Liverpool was always the first choice. The timing of the Champions League final on June 1 (AEDT) had been a potential hurdle, but with Liverpool’s elimination, the stars have aligned for their return to Australia.
Liverpool’s last visit to the MCG in 2013 saw 95,000 fans pack the stadium to watch them beat Melbourne Victory 2-0. The club returned in 2015, playing in front of more than 50,000 supporters against both Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United. In 2017, nearly 73,000 turned out at Stadium Australia to see the Reds defeat Sydney FC 3-0.
The chance to see global stars like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in action is expected to generate massive interest. Liverpool remains the most-watched Premier League team globally, with a cumulative audience of 471 million during the 2023-24 season.
The success of last year’s post-season tours, which saw Newcastle United and Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur draw 78,419 fans to the MCG, has paved the way for another high-profile event. Newcastle and Spurs delivered an entertaining clash that ended 1-1 before Newcastle won 5-4 on penalties. Two nights later, an A-League All-Stars team, coached by Patrick Kisnorbo, thrashed a youthful Newcastle side 8-0.
This time, Liverpool is expected to play just one match against the All-Stars, making the occasion even more special. For Australian fans, it’s a rare chance to witness one of the world’s most famous football clubs on home soil, in one of the country’s most iconic stadiums.
With Liverpool entering a new era under incoming manager Arne Slot, the trip to Melbourne could serve as both a farewell to outgoing boss Jürgen Klopp and a first glimpse of what the future holds for the Reds. Whatever the narrative, the spectacle promises to be unmissable.
An official announcement is anticipated soon, but all signs point to another unforgettable football night at the MCG. If past visits are anything to go by, Melbourne is set to turn red once again.
