Hong Kong downpours won’t affect Premier League Trophy, HKFA insists as Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp admits he is concerned

Reds forced to cancel one training session and move another since arrival in the city for Asia Trophy, but forecast is scheduled to improve ahead of Crystal Palace game on Wednesday

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Liverpool football manager Jurgen Klopp speaks at a press conference in Hong Kong on July 18, 2017, ahead of the 2017 Premier League Asia Trophy being played on July 19 and 22. / AFP PHOTO / ISAAC LAWRENCE

Published: 5:03pm, 18 Jul 2017Updated: 10:45pm, 18 Jul 2017

“If it would stop raining it would be nice,” said a frustrated Juergen Klopp on Tuesday as Hong Kong rainstorms played havoc with Liverpool’s preseason preparations – but the Hong Kong FA insisted they were confident the Premier League Asia Trophy would not be affected.

Liverpool were forced to cancel a training session at Mong Kok Stadium, at which local fans had been invited to attend, after the Hong Kong Observatory issued amber rainstorm, landslip, strong monsoon and flood warnings on Tuesday morning.

There was serious flooding in the New Territories, and though by lunchtime the worst appeared to be over, the amber alert was raised again at around 4pm – now the English Premier League and Hong Kong Football Association are praying for respite with the first games of the Asia Trophy to be played on the much-criticised Hong Kong Stadium pitch on Wednesday night.

WATCH: Premier League Asia Trophy press conference

Since midnight on Monday morning, more than 200mm of rain has fallen on the area around the stadium, but the rain was forecast to ease on Wednesday.

Hong Kong Football Association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak said: “There are some small water patches on the far corners and other than that the pitch condition looks fine despite the downpour over the last couple of days.

“It seems the new drainage system works very well and we are confident the matches will go ahead on Wednesday. With the forecast for some fine weather approaching the weekend, the finals on Saturday should be not affected.”