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Liverpool's pre-season plans have taken further shape with a friendly against Preston North End now scheduled for July 13.

The Premier League champions will meet the Championship side in a pre-season exhibition just days after they return to training ahead of the defence of their 20th title in the 25/26 campaign.

Arne Slot will welcome back a number of his players to the AXA Training Centre on July 7 ahead of the weekend's short trip to Deepdale.



The Reds hosted North End in a behind-closed doors meeting at their Kirkby base last year and were entertained at Preston in 2023 when managed by Jurgen Klopp.

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And ahead of their summer tour of Hong Kong and Japan, the title holders will be hosted by Paul Heckingbottom's side, who finished 20th in the second tier last time out.

Liverpool fly out to Hong Kong on July 21 and will meet Serie A giants AC Milan at Kai Tak Sports Park on Saturday July 26 before a trip to Japan to play Yokohama F.

Marinos on July 30 at Nissan Stadium.

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After that, the Reds are not currently slated to return to action until August 10 when they play FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley.

However, with a free week before the annual curtain raiser at the national stadium once they return from Asia, there is room for a midweek Anfield friendly to take place in the calendar.

This summer's jaunt to Hong Kong will be the first time the Reds have visited the region since the summer of 2017 when they took part in the Premier League Asia Trophy.

The club's most recent trip to Japan came in December 2005 when they were beaten finalists in the Club World Cup under Rafa Benitez and this summer, which has been arranged through their commercial partnership with Japan Air, represents the first pre-season trip to Tokyo.

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Season ticket holders and LFC Official Members can purchase tickets for the Preston fixture from 10am on Monday June 16, with the general on-sale taking place from 10am on Tuesday June 17.