Att: Australians - Liverpool at the MCG in July!

[SB]

6 weeks tomorrow to go.

[Fosterbloke]

And no Suarez by the look of things!

[Fredo]

And no Suarez by the look of things!

He'll be resting after the confederations cup.

[SB]

He'll be resting after the confederations cup.

Coutinho isn't involved in that is he?

[GerryB]

http://www.theanfieldwrap.com/ Got my TAW tickets sorted, can't wait🎉👍

[fowlen]

No joy for me
Not going to be able to get to Melbourne for it sadly...shudder to think that I left the UK 6 yrs ago already, and not been to alive football game since then!

[SB]

No joy for me
Not going to be able to get to Melbourne for it sadly...shudder to think that I left the UK 6 yrs ago already, and not been to alive football game since then!

Where you at man?

[jono]

http://www.theanfieldwrap.com/ Got my TAW tickets sorted, can't wait🎉👍

Damn. I think I'll be boarding a plane in Sydney around the time that it is on.

[GerryB]

Damn. I think I'll be boarding a plane in Sydney around the time that it is on.

They have just announced they are doing a show in Sydney also

[jono]

They have just announced they are doing a show in Sydney also

Just appeared on my Facebook page. Saturday the 20th it looks like.

[fowlen]

Sydney - get SFA here

[SB]

A kiwi's guide to LFC in Melbourne

You’ve bought your ticket and booked flights. You’ve spent the last couple of months trying in earnest to curb your excitement levels and focus on work or study.


Monday afternoons are largely spent gazing out the window at the worsening winter outside and crossing off days on the calendar. It's now June and for many of us our first taste of Liverpool football in the flesh is only a little over a month away.

Amidst all the anticipation in the days leading up to the trip, it would be easy to forget a few essential items. So for that reason, I've compiled a checklist for fellow Kiwi Reds embarking on our pilgrimage across the ditch...

'Must Haves'

These are the items you simply cannot be without. Failing to remember one of these would border on the disastrous.

Passport: For us New Zealanders, Australia might feel like our own backyard, but getting there still requires the small matter of a four-hour flight. And for that, you'll need your trusty passport. Not even the most rousing rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' will convince a Customs Officer to let you on board without it.

Match Ticket: Have you ever travelled four hours to the beach house, car bursting with packed bags and enthusiastic family members, only to find you forgot the front door keys once you're standing on the doorstep? You can't get in, and you won't get into the MCG without a ticket. In the aforementioned scenario, at least you have the option of turning around and heading home to retrieve them. Air New Zealand don't tend to double back upon request.

Liverpool Jersey: Picture it now: A packed MCG. Close to 100,000 people. A section of Melbourne Victory blue and a sea of Liverpool red. And then you, sticking out like a sore thumb. Attending your first Liverpool match in plain clothes is akin to turning up to your own wedding in muddy trainers and a hooded sweatshirt.


'Ought-to-Brings'

These are the items you really ought to be bringing for the ultimate 'LFC in Melbourne' experience. Forget one and you may live to regret it.

Camera/Camera phone: This one is fairly self-explanatory. A trip of a lifetime deserves a few photos. Who knows what opportunities might present themselves? Miss your chance of a photo with Suso and his magnificent head of hair when you spot him in a Melbourne barber shop and you'll simply never forgive yourself.

Liverpool-related reading material: Four hours each way is a long time traveling. How you spend that time is of course up to you, but what could be more appropriate for the occasion than a few chapters of autobiographies like 'Carra' or 'Pepe'? Early feedback suggests Craig Bellamy's new book is well worth a read too.

Well-rested vocal chords: You've belted out hearty performances of 'Fields of Anfield Road' in your living room at 2am while watching a match on television. You won't want to miss the opportunity to do so amongst tens of thousands of fellow Reds at the MCG. So rest up that voice.

Spending money: Melbourne is famous for its shopping, boasting a plethora of designer boutiques and popular brand stores. You could be forgiven for thinking your spending money might be well utilized in such places. Incorrect. You're far better off saving your cash for a few pre-match pints at the Melbourne Liverpool Supporters Association's local watering hole, the Bourke Street Imperial. The place promises to be electric on match day.

LFC's visit to Australia promises to be a monumental occasion for all of us. Follow this checklist closely and you'll be sure to have a trip of a lifetime. YNWA.

You can follow Cam Downer on Twitter at @RedFromNZ

[SB]

Looks like Stevie G may be coming to Oz after all.

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard says he is on course with his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery.

The 33-year-old missed the final two games of last season to go under the knife on an injury he has nursed for some time.

Gerrard had played every minute of every Premier League game up until April.

It was then decided that the England skipper would sit out of the last two games of the campaign in order to resolve the shoulder problem.

Gerrard also missed the national side’s friendlies with the Republic or Ireland and Brazil as well as games with Queens Park Ranger and Fulham.


But Gerrard is on course for a return to the fold in pre-season and admits that six weeks out of the game has been more than enough for him.

”It’s going well and feeling strong,” Gerrard said of his shoulder.

“I’m six weeks down the line with the rehabilitation from surgery.

“I’m not too far away, maybe a couple of weeks away from contact and being back in full training if everything goes well. I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s probably the longest break I’ve had at this time of year – being out of the game for six weeks is enough, I’m itching to get back.”

Robbie Fowler, meanwhile, has hailed the signing of Simon Mignolet, saying: “I think he was a great goalkeeper last year.

“You’d have to look at his nationality as well – the flux of Belgian players in the top leagues and top teams is frightening.

“He performed well last year in the Premier League, made some great saves, and obviously he wants to be the Belgian number one and playing in the Premier League is certainly going to stabilise that.

“I think it’s a fantastic deal.”

Read more: Liverpool Daily Post Shoulder recovery going well says Liverpool FC skipper Steven Gerrard - Liverpool FC News - Liverpool FC - Sport - Liverpool Daily Post http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...#ixzz2XOU6Yo1Z

[SB]

Only 3 weeks till I'm there. Great news if this becomes truth.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has given the strongest indication yet that captain Steven Gerrard will be fit to face the Melbourne Victory after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery.

The 33-year-old midfielder missed the final two games of the 2012/13 season due to the operation in May.

But Gerrard joined his team-mates on the first day of pre-season on Tuesday, a week after saying he was 'a couple of weeks away' from returning to full training.

Rodgers told reporters Gerrard was close to full fitness, meaning facing the Victory at the MCG on July 24 as part of Liverpool's three-match Asian tour remains a distinct possibility.

"It's a big credit to him. He's worked tirelessly over the summer," Rodgers said.

"He won't be too far away. He looks great and is in great condition."

Rodgers said Gerrard, who has made over 400 appearances for Liverpool after coming through the academy, was an 'integral' part of his plans for years to come.

Gerrard has been one of Liverpool's best players in the past decade and was consistent during the 2012/13 campaign.

"He's 33 now but Steven is still an integral part of what I'm trying to do here and will be for the next few years," Rodgers said.

"He had his operation towards the end of the season and the plan was for him to continue his rehab over the off-season."

Goals from Jimmy Jeggo and Andrew Nabbout gave Victory a 2-1 win over Richmond in a pre-season friendly at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Tuesday night.

[Tee]

Liverpool have given striker Luis Suarez three weeks off following his participation in the Confederations Cup with Uruguay. The 26-year-old - who has been linked with Real Madrid - will rejoin manager Brendan Rodgers's squad when they travel to Australia on 22 July.

Full story: Liverpool Echo

There you go lads.