Previewing Liverpool FCs USA Preseason Schedule

In an extraordinary show of unity with U.S. football (soccer) fans, Liverpool FC of the English Premier League (EPL) has scheduled a good part of its preseason schedule to be played in the U.S. They are calling it the “Champions Soccer Tour. Liverpool will be joined by other top EPL clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and other top European teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Betis.

This is being viewed as a goodwill tour for the benefit of a growing number of U.S. soccer fans. While as many as a dozen top football clubs could be crossing the pond, the following information is going to focus on Liverpool FC.

About Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC’s formation dates back to 1892. They have a rich history of competing at the highest levels of the English football community. Nicknamed the Reds, they are currently owned by the Fenway Sports Group. Yes, that’s the American-based sports conglomerate that runs MLB’s Boston Red Sox.

The club’s head coach this season will be Arne Slot. He landed the job for the coming EPL season after spending a few years coaching at the lower levels of the English football community. At 45 years old, he brings youth and excitement to a football club that is looking for yet another run at EPL glory.

As for Liverpool’s performance on the pitch, they have finished in the top 3 of the EPL standings 4 times over the past 5 seasons. That includes claiming the Championship Trophy in the 2019-2020 season. It’s noteworthy they finished #3 out of 20 clubs last season.

Coming to America

While a 4th-and 5th match could be scheduled, Liverpool is already scheduled to play three (3) preseason matches in the U.S. Here is a listing of the three (3) scheduled matches:

– Liverpool vs Real Betis — July 26 – Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 7:30 pm ET

– Liverpool vs Arsenal — July 31 – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 7:30 pm ET

– Liverpool vs Manchester United — Aug. 3 – Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina, 7:30 pm ET

Astute football/soccer fans in the U.S. will note that Arsenal and Manchester United are key Liverpool rivals in the EPL. It’s worth noting that Arsenal has finished 2nd in both of the last two (2) EPL seasons while Manchester United is coming off a title win in the recent 2023-2024 FA Cup.

As for Real Betis of the La Liga league in Spain, the club has an equally impressive history. They have been playing at high levels in the top Spanish and European football leagues and tournaments since 1907.

The Rivalries

While there isn’t much history between Liverpool and Real Betis, the opposite is true regarding Arsenal and Manchester United. Liverpool has been banging heads with Arsenal and Manchester United for decades.

To be clear, Liverpool and Arsenal have played hundreds of outstanding football matches throughout the decade. However, it would be a stretch to say these two clubs have an important rivalry. What’s missing on the things that create sports rivalries that sports fans have come to love.

In America, that would be the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees (MLB) and The Boston Celtics versus the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) among others. Such rivalries bring in huge wagering amounts and if not for being the preseason Liverpool’s US schedule likely would do the same. For now, Americans will have to get their gambling fix by other means and utilize a free chip no deposit bonus when possible

In the world of European football, no rivalry will equal the rivalry created by Liverpool and Manchester United. The rivalry between these two high-profile teams is affectionately referred to as the “Northwest Derby.”

The two key components of this rivalry are proximity and the records these two teams have accumulated over 120+ years of completion.

The proximity component was born out of two industrial cities that are located a mere 35 miles apart. Manchester United is famous for its involvement in the international textile industry. Aside from being home to the Beatles, Liverpool is a port city from which textiles have been shipped for hundreds of years.

The history of competition is born out of these two teams being recognized as the most famous football clubs in the world. Between them, they have laid claim to 39 Premier League titles, 20 FA Cups, 14 League Cups, 9 European Cups, 4 UEFA Cups, 5 UEFA Super Cups, and 2 FIFA Club World Cups.

Note: In a league where player transfers are commonplace, not a single player has been transferred between Liverpool and Manchester United since 1964. That’s 60 years of two soccer clubs showing their disdain and respect for one another.

Attention U.S. soccer fans: This incredible Champions Soccer Tour has been organized to ensure fans get a chance to see some of Europe’s best football clubs and players. It was also organized as a promotion tool to draw more U.S. athletes to the sports of soccer.