Fitness first for Rodgers as Reds prepare to face Malaysia
LIVERPOOL FC will give no quarter as the English Premier League club gear up for their much anticipated match against the Malaysia XI in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
Following impressive wins in their pre season 2015 Asia Tour, Liverpool aim to finish their final encounter against Dollah Salleh team on a high.
The match tomorrow will make Malaysian football history as this is only the second time Liverpool FC will be stepping on Malaysian soil, but Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers' main focus on the tour has been to improve the fitness of his squad for next season.
"Last season disappointment has ensure us to bring in the right quality of players needed to improve and we have certainly done that," Rodgers told reporters during a press conference at the Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
"The ultimate goal in pre season is to develop the football fitness of the players. But of course we are also going to improve the tactical aspect of the team.
"With nearly half the team consisting of new players, this tour serves to improve the dynamics and coalition of the team," Rodgers said, adding, that he has no update on Christian Benteke's transfer saga to Liverpool.
With Mario Balotelli not included in the Reds' 2015 Asia Tour squad, Rodgers said he was "not sure" whether the Italian will still be a Liverpool player next season.
"Mario is obviously not in the tour, but he's been working hard and training well." Asked if Balotelli will be part of his Liverpool team next season, Rodgers said: "I am not sure, that will be entirely up to Mario."
Jordan Henderson, who has recently bestowed the captain's armband, taking over from former Steven Gerrard, said he is coping with the pressure well.
"Obviously Stevie has been a very influential figure in Liverpool for many years. He has been a great leader for us but I believe we just have to move on from that," said Henderson.
"I have been given more responsibility with that role now, and I will try to do my best for the team like I did at the end of last season."
James Milner, who was Rodgers first signing at the end of last season, also has an added weight on his shoulders. He was handed the famous No. 7 jersey, which has been worn by the likes of Steve McManaman, Harry Kewell and most recently Luis Suarez.
"Every single number is a massive number for a club like Liverpool and I am very proud to wear that number and the shirt and hopefully I can make the number proud.
"I think I have been very lucky throughout my career to play in big clubs. Although its alot of pressure but that is what you want to do. Liverpool is a big club and you are expected to win every time you step out on to the field and this is the sort of pressure I wanna play in," Milner added.
Dollah Salleh, has named five foreign players plying their trade in the Malaysian Super League to face Liverpool. They are Terengganu defender Vincent Bikana, Perak duo Chad Souza and Thiago Junior Aquino, Felda United's Zah Rahan Krangar and PKNS FC's Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh.
"I need to strengthen the team with quality players. We had a good game against Spurs and expectations are equally high against Liverpool FC.
"English clubs are always hard to beat but our focus will be in giving our players the best possible exposure," said Dollah.
Tickets for the Liverpool FC vs Malaysia XI match are priced at RM58 (student), RM88, RM158, and RM228 with a limited number of VIP seats available at RM428 and RM328. Tickets are available for purchase via online at ticketpro.com.my, hotline +603-7880-7999, Ticketpro outlets as well as New Balance and Sports Empire outlets.