Liverpool FC have been invited by the Spanish side Levante to take part in their centenary celebrations next summer. British audiences will be aware of the team from Valencia after they were relegated to the second tier of Spanish football at the end of the 2007/08 season following two years in the top flight and making regular appearances on Sky Sports La Liga coverage.
The Director General of Levante, Francisco Catalán, visited Liverpool`s Melwood training complex last week in order to discuss the possibility of Rafa Benitez taking his side to play in a friendly next summer. The Liverpool boss was presented with a Levante shirt by Catalan, who announced: “It would be an honour for us and for the city of Valencia for an entity such as Liverpool to celebrate the centenary with Levante. In terms of history, track record, players and coach, it is impossible to find any other club that would do more of an honour to a celebration as important as this. Levante knows how difficult it is for Liverpool to find available dates, but they will do all that they can in order to be available to play us and reward our fans with the best gift possible in a year as important as this."
Liverpool are yet to organise their pre-season schedule for next summer, but Benitez appeared eager to honour the Spanish club`s invitation and return to Valencia, the City where he enjoyed so much success as the coach of Levante’s more famous neighbouring rivals.
Benitez said: "It is an honour to receive this invitation from a Centennial club like Levante, especially as they are a team from a city where I have so many friends –as well as sentimental and family ties. Let no one be in doubt that we will try and take part in this tournament and contribute to Levante’s celebrations. This invitation is very warmly received and hopefully our schedule will allow us to sort out the dates, there are a lot of aspects to co-ordinate, but we will try to play in Valencia. "
The Director General of Levante, Francisco Catalán, visited Liverpool`s Melwood training complex last week in order to discuss the possibility of Rafa Benitez taking his side to play in a friendly next summer. The Liverpool boss was presented with a Levante shirt by Catalan, who announced: “It would be an honour for us and for the city of Valencia for an entity such as Liverpool to celebrate the centenary with Levante. In terms of history, track record, players and coach, it is impossible to find any other club that would do more of an honour to a celebration as important as this. Levante knows how difficult it is for Liverpool to find available dates, but they will do all that they can in order to be available to play us and reward our fans with the best gift possible in a year as important as this."
Liverpool are yet to organise their pre-season schedule for next summer, but Benitez appeared eager to honour the Spanish club`s invitation and return to Valencia, the City where he enjoyed so much success as the coach of Levante’s more famous neighbouring rivals.
Benitez said: "It is an honour to receive this invitation from a Centennial club like Levante, especially as they are a team from a city where I have so many friends –as well as sentimental and family ties. Let no one be in doubt that we will try and take part in this tournament and contribute to Levante’s celebrations. This invitation is very warmly received and hopefully our schedule will allow us to sort out the dates, there are a lot of aspects to co-ordinate, but we will try to play in Valencia. "
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