Rodgers relishing Australia trip
Brendan Rodgers admits he cannot wait to take Liverpool to Australia for the first time ever this summer and finally come face-to-face with the club's fanatical support out there.
The Reds today confirmed they will face Melbourne Victory at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground as part of their 2013 pre-season tour presented by Standard Chartered following the earlier news that we will also travel to Thailand this summer.
The fixture will take place on July 24 - with the game in Bangkok scheduled four days later on July 28 - and Rodgers is already relishing the visit to Australia, particularly given the number of Liverpool fans in the country.
"Our support doesn't amaze me now knowing what I know about the football club having been inside it," the boss told Liverpoolfc.com. "I think the draw and support of the club is absolutely incredible.
"To have the following in countries like Australia gives us great pride to know that the club really is a worldwide magnet for supporters.
"We're really looking forward to going there, bringing the team and bringing it closer to the supporters.
"Hopefully, we can really enjoy our pre-season preparations there and we're really looking forward to meeting the supporters."
Melbourne Victory are considered one of the most successful Australian sides in an ever-growing sport in the country - and Rodgers feels the game will be a key part of Liverpool's pre-season preparations.
"We've seen over the years the real development of the Australian game," he said.
"I know a number of people who have travelled out to there and I spoke to Robbie Fowler as well. I've got friends who have been managers there and I think you can see the trail of British cultures that have ended up going out there.
"It shows it is a league that is professional and is improving all the time.
"They've got some really technically-gifted players. I watched Wales play Australia about a year ago and I've watched them on the TV. Their qualities are at a real high level and their also really passionate about their sport in general.
"It'll be a real difficult game - but it's the type of game we want in our preparation. Melbourne I don't know too much about, but it's certainly a game I'm looking forward to and especially in playing in an iconic stadium."
Having visited Fenway Park during last summer's trip to North America, Rodgers is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to take Liverpool to another landmark venue.
Melbourne Cricket Ground has a capacity of around 100,000 - and the manager feels it will be an experience to savour for all fortunate enough to be present.
He said: "If we can get that full to capacity it'll be absolutely incredible for the players to experience - and, of course, also for the Australian public and all the Liverpool supporters.
"You're very fortunate as a football coach, manager and player to travel the world and play at such iconic stadiums football-wise.
"At Fenway Park, we were able to play in a real iconic baseball stadium - and now we'll have the opportunity in Australia to play in one of the most famous cricket venues in the world.
"We're really looking forward to it."