Why Liverpool are playing at Preston's Deepdale Stadium for pre-season friendly

Why Liverpool are playing a pre-season friendly against Bundesliga side Darmstadt at Preston North End's Deepdale Stadium rather than Anfield.

As Liverpool gear up for their opening Premier League game, the Reds returned to England after a pre-season tour that took in trips to Germany and Singapore.

Ever the forward-thinkers, Liverpool were aware that the expansion of the Anfield Road Stand may not be completed by the time they landed back in Merseyside and booked Deepdale in June - sparking some grumblings of discontent among Preston's fanbase.

North End had to ask the Football League for an away fixture on the opening weekend of the new Championship season as it clashed with the friendly. Preston duly travelled to Bristol City's Ashton Gate on Saturday 5 August (fighting back to earn a point) but will host fourth-tier Salford City in the Carabao Cup less than 24 hours after Liverpool's bout against Darmstadt.

Source : 90min