Liverpool v Adelaide United: ‘surreal’ to play against world class players, says Graig Goodwin

ADELAIDE United winger Craig Goodwin doesn’t mind wearing yellow, especially if it means he can face Liverpool, the team he supported growing up.

> at Anfield on May 16, 2015 in Liverpool, England.

ADELAIDE United winger Craig Goodwin doesn’t mind wearing yellow, especially if it means he can face the Reds.

On July 20, United will face Liverpool at Adelaide Oval for a preseason clash and Goodwin, a lifelong fan of Liverpool, is thrilled to be lining up against the English Reds.

“Liverpool was my team growing up, so having a chance to play against some of my idols is pretty surreal,” Goodwin said.

“Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli if he comes, these are all world class players we get to come up against.”

Jordan Henderson is heading Down Under.

One player who might miss the flight over however is contract rebel Raheem Sterling.

The 20-year-old Liverpool attacker has been flirting with a move away from Anfield this transfer period and Premier League rivals Manchester City have been heavily linked.

Former Reds captain, Steven Gerrard voiced his displeasure with Sterling’s actions.

“I’m not happy with all that carry-on and I don’t think there’s any need for it,” he said.

“Raheem needs to go in and speak to the owners and to Brendan himself, tell them what he wants and go about it that way.”

The recently unveiled Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder thinks the real victim of the situation is the Liverpool fans.

“There are millions and millions of Liverpool fans around the world who are itching to see Raheem Sterling in a Liverpool kit,” he said.

“So I don’t think it’s fair on them if he is behaving like that.”

Goodwin believes it would be a shame not to see Sterling come over, but reinforced the club was already overflowing with big names.

Craig Goodwin, right, and Michael Marrone in the new yellow strips for their upcoming game against Liverpool. Picture: Mark Brake

“It would have been fantastic if Sterling could have made the trip,” he said.

“But even if he can’t it won’t be too much of an issue given all the other players that are already coming.”

On Wednesday night United travel to Gold Coast Stadium to face Manchester City behind closed doors.

For Goodwin it’s just another chance to show English clubs what Adelaide can do.

“Being able to play two clubs of the highest level in the Premier League is a great chance to show big clubs that teams in Adelaide and Australia can play as well,” he said.

Don’t let the preseason tag fool you, Adelaide United are taking the Liverpool game very seriously.

The countdown to the match is now nine days and United have done their homework on their English Reds counterpart.

Chief Executive of Adelaide United, Michael Petrillo said our Reds would be ready.

“The coaches are definitely working on Liverpool as they would any other side,” he said.

“We want to do well in front of our fans here in Australia and in front of a worldwide audience.”

“It’s an important game for us.”

Originally published as Liverpool v Adelaide United: ‘surreal’ to play against world class players, says Graig Goodwin