Football
Mike Wise, ESPN Associate Editor 7y

'No mucking about' for Liverpool, Sydney FC in ANZ showcase - Johnston

SYDNEY -- Liverpool and Sydney FC are prepared to put celebrations on hold ahead of their friendly in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Jurgen Klopp's side sealed a Champions League spot on Sunday with a 3-0 win at home to Middlesbrough, before immediately jumping on a plane to Australia ahead of their showdown with A-League champions.

Liverpool great Craig Johnston -- who won nine major trophies in his seven years at Liverpool in the 1980s -- says that the Premier League side holds a strong connection with their Australian fans, and will be going all out to defeat Graham Arnold's Sky Blues at ANZ Stadium.

"It's important to the club, and it's important to the fans -- otherwise they wouldn't be here," Johnston told ESPN FC.

"There's a very strong connection between the club and Australian fans. They feel the love. When Liverpool come here, there's a cultural connection.

"I'm expecting a great match and a really competitive fixture. The fact that Liverpool are in the Champions League -- everybody will be buoyed by that.

"Jurgen Klopp said: 'The holiday starts when we get back to England.' So they're very clear that there's no mucking about here and Sydney won't let them either."

#INSERT type:image caption: Gary McAllister, Craig Johnston and Jason McAteer in Sydney ahead of Liverpool's match with Sydney FC on Wednesday. END#

Fellow ex-Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister echoed Johnston's sentiments, expecting a good spectacle in what is expected to be a crowd of upwards of 60,000.

"We know that [Sydney FC] have had a fantastic season," McAllister said. "A lot has been achieved by both clubs. People think they may go in there with a sort of 'testimonial attitude' sort of feel.

"But knowing the guys that are coming over from Anfield, and knowing that they'll be bolstered by some of the older players as well -- it'll be very competitive.

"There will be a relaxed mood about the game, but once you start playing, those competitive juices just kick in. And both sides will want to win. It'll be a good spectacle and a big crowd."

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