The exhibition match was confirmed earlier this month, but is scheduled for May 24, only three days after Liverpool's final Premier League match against Middlesbrough.

As a result it was always unlikely the Reds would be able to bring their first-choice side.

Long-term Liverpool captain Gerrard, 36, left the club after more than 700 appearances in 2015 for LA Galaxy.

“It will be an honour to pull on the red shirt and play football with an outstanding squad and former teammates – this is what Liverpool is all about, celebrating the family that has been around for 125 years," Gerrard said.

“Our fans in Australia always give us a warm welcome, so it’ll be a great feeling to see the ANZ Stadium turn red on May 24.”

Gerrard did play for a Liverpool Legends side against an Australian Legends side at ANZ Stadium in January.

He will be joined by Carragher, McManaman and Daniel Agger for the match which celebrates the club's 125th anniversary.

Carragher, 39, retired four years ago, while Agger, just 32, hung up the boots in June 2016. McManaman is the oldest of the quartet at 45, having finished his playing career in 2005 with Manchester City.

The match will mark Liverpool’s third visit to Australian shores in the past four years, but the club’s first in Sydney.

Liverpool attracted a memorable crowd of more than 95,000 fans in 2013 at the MCG.

“I’ve obviously been to Sydney before with the Legends and I’ve also been to Australia a couple of times with the first team. I’m really excited,” Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.com.

“Hopefully it’s a similar experience, where we get to play in front of those wonderful fans. I’m sure it’ll be a sell-out in the stadium again. I was absolutely delighted when I heard the news.”