Liverpool’s efforts to organise a suitable behind-closed-doors friendly match ahead of their Champions League final have taken a blow, according to reports.
The Reds incredible semi-final comeback in the Champions League against Barcelona saw them book a place in Madrid where they will take on Tottenham in the final.
The showpiece event will take place on June 1, meaning there is a three-week break between the end of the Premier League season and the final.
Jurgen Klopp has taken his players to Marbella to train while The Times claim that Liverpool wanted to ‘arrange a game to maintain match sharpness’.
However, organising a match against a top-level opponent is proving difficult with the timing of a potential friendly coming as most players at other clubs jet off on holiday.
That could leave Klopp facing the prospect of preparing his side against an under-23 or academy side with the likes of Roberto Firmino – who has not appeared for the Reds since May 1 – in need of run out.