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Liverpool set to visit South Africa

TARGET MAN: Raheem Sterling of Liverpool celebrates scoring a goal with his manager Brendan Rodgers during their Premier League match against Norwich City. The Reds could tour SA next month Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images
TARGET MAN: Raheem Sterling of Liverpool celebrates scoring a goal with his manager Brendan Rodgers during their Premier League match against Norwich City. The Reds could tour SA next month Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images

AJAX Cape Town are seeking permission from the Premier Soccer League, Safa and CAF to host potential new English champions Liverpool on May 19, officials said yesterday.

The match, earmarked for Cape Town Stadium, will be a one-off visit to South Africa straight after the end of the English season and is given much more importance by the fact that the Reds are on the brink of their first domestic title since 1990.

Liverpool, who are coached by Brendan Rodgers, are likely to sell out the World Cup venue, even if they will come without their Brazil-bound stars like Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge.

Liverpool and Ajax signed a contract last year for the English club to visit at the end of the season. The Urban Warriors still have a binding contract and the English club are keen to respect it, officials added.

Liverpool have suggested May 19, but it is two days after the Nedbank Cup final, which the Cape Town Stadium has applied to host.

It is up to the PSL to give clearance for Ajax, who did not have any other date available for a prestigious game that will also boost their coffers.

Ajax are hoping for a decision in the next few days as they must confirm the game with Liverpool.

Last year Liverpool were due to visit but the league refused to give the match the green light because the proposed date, May 21, fell within its season. But it was scheduled four days before last year's Nedbank Cup final between SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs whereas this year's proposed date is 48 hours after the last game of the 2013-14 campaign.

Organisers last year hoped to circumvent PSL rules by putting forward a combined Cape Town XI for the game, but that was also stymied.

The PSL league programme ends on May 10 when Ajax play their last game at Platinum Stars. Liverpool end their season on May 11 at home to Newcastle United.

Liverpool have already scheduled a friendly in Ireland against Shamrock Rovers on May 14 after which they propose to fly to SA. Liverpool cannot come in July before the start of the next English season because they are headed to the US for their pre-season preparations where they take on Roma, Olympiakos, Manchester City and AC Milan in a mini-tournament.

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