Liverpool’s Champions League preparations hit snag as AZ Alkmaar ‘turn down friendly proposal’
- Liverpool have suffered a hitch in their Champions League final preparations
- Dutch side AZ Alkmaar turned down request for a friendly in two weeks’ time
- Jurgen Klopp is hoping to end his season on a high having missed out on the title
- The Reds come up against Tottenham in the European showpiece on June 1
Liverpool have suffered a hitch in their Champions League final preparations after Dutch side AZ Alkmaar turned down their request for a friendly.
Jurgen Klopp is hoping to end his season on a high having just lost out to Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title this season.
The Reds come up against fellow English club Tottenham in the European showpiece on June 1, however their build-up has hit a snag.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have had an approach to play a friendly against AZ Alkmaar rejected
According to The Sun, AZ Alkmaar were approached about playing a friendly on the weekend of May 25 and 26 but rejected Liverpool’s proposal.
The Eredevisie club reportedly cited that many of their players will be on holiday when the fixture is due to take place and therefore snubbed the Anfield club’s offer.
A Dutch source told The Sun: ‘Liverpool asked AZ to play a friendly in the run-up to the Champions League final. It would be in Spain at their request, around a week before the final.
‘But a serious game didn’t suit AZ. They wouldn’t be able to pick their strongest side, as a lot of their players would still have national team commitments.’