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Days before their exhibition clash with English giants Liverpool, Brisbane Roar players have been told they’ll never walk alone.
The visit by the English Premier League club is a welcome distraction from the Roar’s financial uncertainty, but coach John Aloisi is confident the club will pay players’ wages on time this week – unlike the previous pay packets, which went out two weeks late.
He couldn’t confirm reports that Indonesian owners the Bakrie Group have found new investors but, since players returned to pre-season, has been trying to ease their fears about the future.
“I’ve been told today that everyone’s going to get paid, so that’s all that we can worry about, but I’ve said to the players `those things will get sorted out’,” Aloisi told reporters.
“Brisbane Roar will be around no matter what.
“When you’re away, it’s difficult, because things will be going on in their heads … (so) when they got back in, the first thing I said was `this football club will always be around’.”
The clash with Liverpool may be a pre-season fixture, but Aloisi believes neither side will be taking it lightly.
He says his team will be desperate to practice some of the new ideas he’s been implementing at training, while Liverpool, one of the game’s biggest clubs, are never out of the spotlight.
“They’re definitely not here for a holiday,” the former Socceroo said.
“When you’re at a big club like Liverpool, you’re judged and scrutinised on every performance, especially in pre-season.
“They’ll be feeling that straight away. They won’t want a bad performance or a bad result.
“We expect a tough game and a Liverpool that are going to want to prove to the world they’re going to be strong this season.”
Liverpool will hold their first training sessions in Brisbane on Thursday evening at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar, meanwhile, will go into the match without captain Matt McKay or defender Luke DeVere, with both ruled out by Aloisi on Tuesday.
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