Dutch club AZ Alkmaar have reportedly rejected a request by Liverpool to play a friendly before the Champions League final.
The Reds had hoped to face the Eredivisie side in preparation for their European Cup final against Tottenham in Madrid, with the game coming three weeks after the club’s final Premier League game against Wolves.
Manager Jurgen Klopp had been eyeing a fixture to help keep his players match sharp, with the fixture having been planned to take place in Madrid during the week prior to the final, but Inside Futbol, who cite Dutch outlet Noordhollands Dagblad, claim that Alkmaar shot the request down.
This is primarily due to many of Alkmaar’s squad having already left for their summer holidays, while others have been called up to international squads, after their season ended with a 4-2 defeat to Excelsior on Wednesday.
Klopp has given his players time off following their win over Wolves, and they will regroup in Marbella for a training camp before the final, just as they club did last season before facing Real Madrid in Kiev.
