Liverpool head to Hong Kong this afternoon as their pre-season preparations continue.The Reds will compete in the Premier League Asia Trophy, a four-team knockout competition that also features West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Leicester City.Jurgen Klopp would probably have preferred to play a little closer to home but at least he’ll get to see his team in action against opponents of a high quality.At least they didn’t travel to Australia to take on Sydney FC and WS Wanderers, as Arsenal did.Klopp’s 25-man squad includes the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson, but there are several notable absentees.
Nine notable absentees
Lazar Markovic and Mamadou Sakho, both expected to leave Anfield this summer, have been left out.
So too has Sheyi Ojo, who is expected to complete a loan move to Middlesbrough.
Sadio Mane, Danny Ings and Harry Wilson have been left behind as they continue their recovery from injury.
And Emre Can has been given an extended break following his trip to Russia for the Confederations Cup with Germany.
Youngsters Connor Randall and Pedro Chirivella also haven’t travelled to Asia.
Liverpool's 25-man squad
Liverpool’s 25-man squad in full: Karius, Clyne, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Milner, Firmino, Coutinho, Salah, Gomez, Henderson, Sturridge, Grujic, Klavan, Moreno, Lallana, Mignolet, Origi, Solanke, Matip, Stewart, Flanagan, Kent, Ward, Woodburn, Alexander-Arnold.
Klopp: We won't show all our cards
The tour will give Klopp an opportunity to watch new signings Salah and Dominic Solanke in action, although he doesn’t plan on giving all of Liverpool’s tactics away.
“If I would be poker player, I would say maybe we should not show all our cards,” he said, per the Liverpool Echo.
“But It’s the same probably for Crystal Palace with their new manager with Frank de Boer.
“It’s not about hiding things; we cannot hide anything anymore so it’s about playing.
“You have to use these games like the most intense training session you could ever plan, because that’s what we want."
Liverpool then head to Germany
Liverpool, who competed in the Asia Trophy 10 years ago, will take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday, July 19.
Should the Reds win, they will take on the winner of Leicester’s match against West Brom in the final on July 22.
Klopp’s side then travel to Berlin to take on Hertha BSC to mark both clubs’ 125th anniversaries.
Audi Cup
Liverpool’s biggest pre-season test will come when they head to Munich for the Audi Cup in early August.
Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Napoli are also competing in the mini tournament.