Global football giants Liverpool expected to meet A-League All-Stars in Melbourne

One of the world’s biggest football clubs seems to be heading to Melbourne in May for a game against the A-League All-Stars.

English Premier League giants Liverpool loom as the opponents for the A-League All-Stars in May in a blockbuster MCG clash tipped to attract close to 100,000 fans.

With the Reds being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday morning by Paris Saint-Germain, the path is clear for them to travel to Australia immediately following their final Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace on May 26 (AEDT).

The match against the All-Stars would take place a few days later as part of A-League grand final week festivities, with the national competition's decider being played on the weekend of May 31-June 1.

It’s understood the Australian Professional Leagues and the Victorian government have been in talks with a handful of top European clubs about coming to Melbourne, with the sticking point having been the May 31 (June 1 AEDT) date of this year’s Champions League final in Munich.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah would be a big attraction. Picture: Oli Scarff / AFP

However, Liverpool – who in the 2023-24 season were the most-watched Premier League team globally with a cumulative audience of 471 million – had always been the preferred option.

A crowd of 95,000 watched the Reds beat Melbourne Victory 2-0 at the MCG in July 2013.

The Reds also toured Australia two years later, playing in front of crowds 50,000 and 53,000 against Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United respectively.

They again returned in 2017, beating Sydney FC 3-0 at Stadium Australia in a match that attracted almost 73,000 fans.

Last May, two EPL clubs – Newcastle United and Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham – toured Australia immediately after the end of their 2023-24 campaigns.

The teams met at the MCG in front of a crowd of 78,419, with Newcastle winning a penalty shootout 5-4 after scores were locked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

Two nights later, a Newcastle team made up almost entirely of under-21 players – including Socceroo Garang Kuol – was thrashed 8-0 by an A-League All-Stars team coached by Patrick Kisnorbo.

However, it’s expected this year that Liverpool will only play one match – against the All-Stars.

Liverpool seems likely to meet the A-League All-Stars in May. Picture: Darren Staples / AFP

With three Victorian clubs in the A-League top-six, the grand final might also be played in Melbourne.

The Reds, who lead the race for the EPL title by a massive of 15 points from nearest rivals Arsenal, are managed by Dutchman Arne Slot and have a squad that includes Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, imposing Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk and star Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Despite being knocked out of the Champions League, Slot’s team has the chance to win silverware in the English League Cup final on Monday morning at Wembley Stadium against Newcastle.

Originally published as Global football giants Liverpool expected to meet A-League All-Stars in Melbourne