While some of Liverpool's squad will be boarding planes next month to compete in the World Cup in Qatar, it wouldn't be the first time that an adventure in the Middle East during the season has impacted the plans of a Reds manager.
As sovereign wealth has become more prevalent in European football in recent years, most recently with the high profile and somewhat controversial sale of Newcastle United to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, more than four decades ago the region was attempting to make strides in the game.
Wanting to grow the game in the region, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation had reached out to top European sides in order to test their own national side, as well as to bring the game at the elite club level to the Middle East.
