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Liverpool FC will face a severely weakened Malaysian Selection side at Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Friday after a row erupted over the release of players.

Malaysian Super League clubs are unhappy with the timing of the exhibition game in the middle of their domestic season.

There have also been complaints about who will benefit financially from the lucrative showdown with Brendan Rodgers’ men.

Selangor refused to allow their players to accept call-ups from national team boss Dollah Salleh.

The trio of Aussie Robert Cornthwaite, Afiq Azmi and Ahmad Hazwan Bakri were named in a 20-man squad for a training camp but they all failed to show up.

Pahang have also stood firm against releasing Nigerian striker Dickson Nwakaeme, while Police FA’s Ali Ashfaq and Super League top scorer Dramane Traore have withdrawn citing injury and lack of fitness.

IN PICTURES: Liverpool arrive in Kuala Lumpur

Selangor boss Amirudin Shari said: “We don’t want to fight anyone, especially FAM (Football Association of Malaysia), but we believe we have a strong reason for not releasing our players for an exhibition match.

“The match is not being held during the FIFA calendar so I think we have a good case.

“We have released our players for exhibition matches, including against Tottenham last month.

“We feel that this particular match does not benefit us or the national team.

“This match will only enrich the match promoters. We want to keep our players fresh for the Super League campaign.”

Dollah has been left fuming because he wanted to use the game as preparation for the World Cup qualifiers against UAE and Saudi Arabia in September.

The national governing body will take action against Selangor, who could face a fine of RM50,000 (£8,500) and have points docked.

FAM secretary general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said: “I can confirm that the three players have snubbed centralised training.

“We have instructed Dollah to file a report after the match. We are upset but I don’t want to comment until we receive the report.”