Jurgen Klopp wants a Liverpool pre-season schedule which includes a visit to Huddersfield Town to be tough.
Town boss David Wagner’s best mate watched the Reds kick-off their friendly programme with a 1-0 win at Tranmere Rovers.
Danny Ings, who missed much of last season with a knee injury, got the goal.
Klopp fielded three new signings in keeper Loris Karius, defender Joel Matip and £36m Senegalese winger Sadio Mane, who has moved from Southampton.
Liverpool head to Fleetwood Town on Wednesday and Wigan Athletic on Sunday before the Shankly Trophy clash with Town on Wednesday week, July 20.
After the Town clash they head to the USA for a tour which includes International Champions Cup games against Chelsea and AC Milan and a game against Roma.
Then they play Barcelona at Wembley in the International Champions Cup on Saturday, August 6.
Klopp, whose side start their Premier League campaign at Arsenal on Sunday, August 14, said: “The players have to show a little bit to me and the crowd.
“It’s good if the opponent is hard and well organised.
“We need these moments in the pre-season to go through.
“If it’s easy in each game in the pre-season, then we get the first problem in the first game in the Premier League.
“So we want to have the problems in the pre-season and be well prepared in the Premier League.”
