Pre season freindlys in japan
Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 9:36 am
Was hopeing they would be in Cork in Ierland 
Liverpool set for Japanese friendlies
First Published: May 20, 2005
Steven Gerrard celebrates after Liverpool defeated Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final. The Reds announced that they will begin preparations for next season with two friendlies in Japan.
Champions League finalists Liverpool announced that they will begin preparations for next season with two friendlies in Japan.
Liverpool, who bid for a fifth European title against Italian side AC Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul next Wednesday, will play friendly fixtures against major J-League club's at the end of July.
Rafael Benitez's side will open against Shimizu S Pulse on July 27 at the Nihondaira stadium before taking on Kashima Antlers three days later at the Kashima stadium.
The English Premiership side are due to arrive in Japan on July 25 and return the day after the final game.
The Reds last visited Japan in 1984 when they lost the World Club Championship to Independiente in Tokyo. They also played in the Japanese capital three years previous against Flamengo, a game they also lost.