Liverpool to honour Shankley at friendly

Liverpool will kick-off their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Preston on July 13.

The Reds face Preston, who have they not met since an FA Cup tie in 2009, in the same year as the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bill Shankly – the Anfield club’s iconic former manager and for 16 years a Lilywhites player.

Liverpool play at Deepdale just days before they start their pre-season tour which takes in Jakarta, Melbourne, Bangkok, Valerenga and Dublin.

They will also play Olympiacos in Steven Gerrard’s testimonial match at Anfield on August 3.