He’s enjoyed a dream Hyundai A-League season with the double-winning Sky Blues but things could get even better for Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant.
The pacy right-back was a consistent performer in a dominant season from Graham Arnold’s side, culminating in Championship success as well as a call-up for the Caltex Socceroos in March.
But the good times aren’t over yet with Grant – a boyhood Liverpool fan – set to take on the EPL giants at a packed ANZ Stadium next Wednesday night.
More than 70,000 tickets have been sold for the Reds’ first-ever match in Sydney, with Grant excited to test himself against the likes of Liverpool’s Brazilian stars Phillipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino.
“I’m a fan of the club so any of those players (Firmino, Coutinho) I’d love to come up against…hopefully they don’t make a fool of me,” the 26-year-old told reporters on Friday.
“We’ll put our best foot forward and hopefully give them a good run for their money.
“Obviously it was a very successful season for us but playing against Liverpool will be massive.
“It’s going to be a massive crowd and such a big club in Europe and personally my favourite team too, so it will not only be good for me but the boys are pretty pumped.”
After Sydney FC’s phenomenal and record-breaking season – which saw them lose just once in 29 matches – Grant said a win over Jurgen Klopp’s men would be the “cherry on top.”
After some well-earned time off following their grand final win over Melbourne Victory on May 7, the Sky Blues squad returned to training this week to ensure they are ready to tackle the Reds.
A clash against EPL opposition is a chance to prove to Ange Postecoglou that he should be retained in the Caltex Socceroos squad for a massive month for the national team.
“I was Involved in the last camp which I was stoked to be a part of and it would be nice to be a part of it again,” said Grant on the possibility of Caltex Socceroo selection.
“I’m not expecting to be a part of it. If I am there happy days, if not I’ll have an off-season.”
A must-win FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Adelaide on June 8 is followed by a blockbuster friendly against Brazil in Melbourne.
Then it’s off to Russia for the FIFA Confederations Cup and matches against World Champions Germany, Chile and Cameroon.
Postecoglou will name an extended 30-man squad next week for the June qualifier, which will be trimmed to a final 23 the following week.
