Liverpool fans sing at the start of their Europa League round of 32, second leg soccer match against Sparta Prague in Liverpool, northern England, Feb 24, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - Liverpool will tour East Asia this summer, playing matches in China, Malaysia and South Korea as part of the team's pre-season preparations, the club said on Thursday.

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The Reds will open with a match in China's Guangzhou, before further games in Kuala Lumpur and Seoul in their July tour.

"Whenever we go to Asia, the fans are always amazing," Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said on the club website (www.liverpoolfc.tv). "The supporters over there are fanatical about Liverpool and it's great that we can give so many of them a chance to come and watch the team play."

Liverpool, who have a large Asian fanbase, toured the continent in 2009, playing matches in Singapore and Thailand.

"The last tour in 2009 was a real success and we're delighted that we are returning this summer," said the club's managing director Ian Ayre.