Football: Liverpool set to play Malaysia in July

English Premier League giants Liverpool will return to Kuala Lumpur to play the Malaysian national side in July, organisers confirmed. Liverpool previously toured football-mad Malaysia in 2011 and are scheduled to again play in the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on July 24, where over 80,000 fans turned out four years ago. "The tour gives our supporters a chance to see the team up close, no matter how far away from Anfield they might live," Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre said. "Pre-season is an important time for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season and the match against the Malaysian XI is an exciting part of that preparation." Liverpool are presently the form side in the Premier League and lie fifth 10 points behind leaders Chelsea. "The national football governing body is truly honoured to host Liverpool once again and are excited by the upcoming fixture," Football Association of Malaysia general-secretary Dato' Hamidin Haji Mohd Amin said. "It's not that we often get to see English Premier League stars. We watch them in awe in our television sets as they take on their opponents, mesmerising them with their gifted football skills. "Watching our Malaysian XI play Liverpool is going to be an enthralling experience for all fans." As well as a full squad, the touring party will include coaching staff from the club's charity, Liverpool FC Foundation, to carry out work in the community throughout the visit as well as taking part in events with official supporters' clubs.