Liverpool legend Gary McAllister feels that the club's pre-season tour this summer will place them in a better spot for the start of a Premier League campaign than last summer's did, as this year's contains proper tests.
Last summer the Anfield outfit headed east and played games in Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, locking horns with the Thai All Stars, Brisbane Roar, Adelaide United and finally a Malaysia XI.
The Reds started the 2015/16 poorly and manager Brendan Rodgers was soon sacked, being replaced by Jurgen Klopp in October.
Things are different this summer though as the Reds have jetted off to the United States to play Chelsea, AC Milan and Roma.
And for McAllister, Liverpool's summer tour this time around is much better preparation than in 2015.
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"Hindsight is a wonderful thing. The trip to Australia was fantastic. We were in some amazing places and the welcome we got over there was outstanding, 65,000, 55,000 and then back up to Kuala Lumpur and there was another 70,000", the Scot told LFC TV.
"But I just thought the level of the games wasn't so good.
"When you look at the names that we're playing here over these ten days, Chelsea, AC Milan and Roma – we're going to get some proper competition", McAllister continued.
"And me as an ex-player, yes I understand playing against weaker teams with less ability than you to gain confidence and try to practice some tactical stuff, but you also like to play against somebody of a level where there is a bit of pride at stake.
"So I think the level of the competition this time round is much better."
Liverpool's first game of the new Premier League season is a crunch clash against Arsene Wenger's Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
