Liverpool friendly against Chester ‘highly unlikely’ to be moved despite England World Cup quarter-final clash
The match is set to kick off at 3pm on Saturday - and clashes with the Three Lions' biggest game in 12 years
Liverpool's friendly at Chester is "highly unlikely" to be changed to avoid a clash with England's World Cup quarter-final against Sweden, the non-league club's chairman has said.
The Three Lions are preparing for a last-eight meeting with the Swedes that is set to kick off at 1500BST on Saturday - as is the friendly at the Swansway Chester Stadium.
Chester chairman David Harrington-Wright was quoted by the Chester Chronicle as saying: "When the fixture was first discussed there was a possible clash with an England quarter-final in the World Cup.
"We requested a kick-off change then but that was the only time Liverpool could do.
"Premier League players are like racehorses and pre-season training is something that is planned to the very last detail, so a change in times would disrupt their plans.
"It has been mentioned since then but it is highly unlikely to be moved. At this late stage the logistics of it would be difficult too.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
"We know it provides a dilemma to fans and we fully expect the crowd to be less on Saturday.
"But it is important to remember that Liverpool have been very good to us with this friendly. A strong team is coming and we will keep all the gate receipts from the clash.
"We have sold the tickets and received the money, so there is no loss to the football club from a business point of view really."
Harrington-Wright added that it would be "a great day" for the club "whether there is 2,000 or 4,000" people in attendance.
Chester are currently in the National League North, having been relegated from the National League last season.