More Liverpool tickets on sale today

This is Liverpool's first visit to Australia and the club said today that the fixture against Victory is just one element of a programme of activity – on and off the pitch - to bring Australian fans closer to the team in 2013.

As well as a full LFC squad, the club will be bringing over staff from the Liverpool FC Foundation to carry out work in the community throughout the visit.

An official LFC Facebook page has also been launched exclusively for Australian fans to complement an official LFC Australia and New Zealand Twitter account - @LFCANZ – launched in January.

"We knew we had a large fan base in Australia and we were overwhelmed by the response to the first wave of ticket sales" said Liverpool FC Managing Director Ian Ayre.

"The whole club, including players and staff, are thrilled to be visiting Melbourne and are looking forward to meeting our LFC family in the Pacific.”

Melbourne Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro added: “Liverpool is one of the most famous clubs on the planet.

"The fact that they’ve opted to play Melbourne Victory on their first ever tour to Australia is great recognition for our club and the progress we’ve made in our short history.

“This truly is a momentous occasion for not only football fans, but sport fans in general, and where better to host such an event than one of the world’s most iconic sporting arenas – the Melbourne Cricket Ground.”

Liverpool legend Ian Rush - now club ambassador - returned to Australia for today's announcement and said he had fond memories of playing Down Under.

“Australia is very special to me," he said. "My last few games as a professional footballer were played for Sydney Olympic so the country has a special place in my heart. 

"I’m very excited about Liverpool FC coming out to Australia and I have no doubt that they too will enjoy their time in Oz as much as I did.”