LIVERPOOL legends Robbie Fowler, Didi Hamann and Jason McAteer coming to Adelaide in January has added weight to growing hopes that the Reds will play United at Adelaide Oval next year.

The trio will appear at the Arkaba Hotel on January 5, with the predicted clash in July likely to be a topic of discussion.

Matthew Selby - a member of Liverpool’s Supporters Committee International East, serving fans in Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand - was instrumental in attracting Fowler, Hamann and McAteer.

“By getting these legends to Adelaide, after they were originally bypassing us, means a lot to me,’’ Selby said.

“I promised them Adelaide would be the best show and I hope the Adelaide public proves me right so we can continue to get big names here.”

It’s understood State Government authorities have in the past week been negotiating with Liverpool officials in a bid to lock down the English Premier League giant for an Adelaide Oval contest.

Adelaide United’s record crowd of 33,126 against Melbourne Victory was said to be among the factors which could attract Liverpool to a city starved of first-class international matches.

Sources say that Liverpool is negotiating to play two matches in Australia during their tour - one at Adelaide Oval and the other at Suncorp Stadium against Brisbane Roar.

Liverpool is also prepared to underwrite most of the venture, with SA and Queensland state government officials content to have the side play two matches in Australia due to the two venues being so far apart.

Liverpool’s current squad is worth about $750 million. The club has an estimated 250,000 fans in Australia.

Liverpool would also be the first English Premier League club to visit SA since Adelaide City smashed Sheffield United 3-0, which was said to be worth $10 million at Hindmarsh Stadium in 1994.

Government and Football Federation Australia officials would not comment on whether Adelaide would host Liverpool. Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin did not return calls.