Luis Garcia wants his former club Liverpool to be the first Premier League team to play in India

Atletico de Kolkata player Luis Garcia lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Super League (ISL) finals.

Luis Garcia wants his former club Liverpool to do the unknown and be the first Premier League team to tour India. Liverpool is scheduled to tour Australia for their pre-season tour in the second successive year and are also looking for other options for a friendly match on their return journey. It was reported last month that Arsenal was considering playing a pre-season friendly match next in the world’s second largest country, but Sky has speculated that nothing has been confirmed till now.

Big family of Reds in India and they should come and play here: Garcia

Garcia, who was part of the victorious Atletico de Kolkata of the first Indian Super League (ISL) anticipates the Reds to play in India. In an exclusive chat with Sky Sports, the 36-year-old former Spain international said: “I think it would be very good for Liverpool to play in India,”

“The players already know that across Asia, there is a big family of Reds but I would love to see them play in India,” he added.

Ian Rush, Liverpool legendary forward and the all-time leading goalscorer of the club was also part of the ISL in the concluding stages of the event, also knows about the fanfare and love for the Anfield based club in India. The 53-year-old Welshman said: “We’ve got loads of supporters in India,”

“We have already seen Ian Rush and other players make an appearance but it would be very nice for the team to actually come out so that they can see and feel how much the people care.”

“I’ve visited the supporters’ clubs and they are fantastic. They love their football in India. They really get behind the team and they sing all the way throughout the game. He added.

“Football is going from strength-to-strength in India and if everything was right I’d love to see the club play in India.”

Neil Chheda, the secretary of the official Liverpool Mumbai Supporters Club also repeated Rush’s similar thoughts on the love for the legendary club in the sub-continent.

“Liverpool is a family club and we sing throughout the 90 minutes even if we are losing,” he said.

“We are as loud as anyone. Liverpool fans are known for their passion and it is the same here in India as well.

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