Liverpool are in the United States as part of their pre-season preparations.

Jurgen Klopp's side will spend a week across the Atlantic in Charlotte, New York and Detroit with games against Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Our man James Pearce will be with the Reds every step of the way and will be providing a special daily diary giving the inside track of a vital summer Stateside.

In his first entry, James lifts the lid on the special measures taken to make sure Liverpool are right on time.

Day one - Klopp's 'tour time' and expected downpour

The Liverpool squad have arrived in Charlotte for the first leg of their pre-season tour of America.

The Reds touched down in North Carolina just after 7am US time on Saturday (noon in the UK) following an eight-hour flight from Manchester.

Jurgen Klopp will hold a press conference at the Bank of America Stadium at 3.30pm (8.30pm UK) to preview Sunday's opening International Champions Cup game against his former club Borussia Dortmund. Klopp's 29-man squad will then train at the venue from 4pm (9pm UK).

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The players won't switch over to US time during their week-long stay in the States. Instead they will remain on 'tour time' which means changing their watches three hours behind the UK rather than five hours. It's designed to help the squad combat jet lag.

Liverpool were greeted by glorious sunshine in Charlotte but it's not expected to last.

The temperature is pushing 30 degrees with 80% humidity but heavy thunderstorms are forecast over the weekend. Liverpool will stay in North Carolina until they fly on to New York on Tuesday.

The players have been joined on the tour by Kop legends Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, John Arne Riise and Sami Hyypia.

They will be attending a host of community, sponsors and supporters' club events over the coming week, starting with a Q&A on stage at the EpiCentre's Rooftop 210 on Saturday night.

It's been a wise move in recent years to increase the number of legends on these trips as it helps ease the demands on the current stars when it comes to commercial appearances.

Sunday's game will be the second time that Liverpool have graced the 75,000 capacity Bank of America Stadium, which is home to NFL side Carolina Panthers.

The Reds played here in 2014 when they beat AC Milan 2-0 in front of nearly 70,000 fans.

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Joe Allen and Suso got the goals on a day when Rickie Lambert saw his penalty saved.

Only two of the 21 players involved in that game remain on the club's books - Jordan Henderson and Simon Mignolet, who are both still on holiday following their commitments at the World Cup.

Day two - Reds make their mark despite defeat

Liverpool may have come off second best against Borussia Dortmund but they have certainly left their mark in Charlotte.

More than 55,000 fans packed into the Bank of America Stadium on Sunday and the vast majority were there to pay homage to Jurgen Klopp's side.

This city in North Carolina has been a sea of red over the past 48 hours and the Reds have helped create memories which will last a lifetime.

Klopp and his players delighted fans after training when they clambered over the hoardings and into the stand to join the Charlotte Reds for a photograph.

James Pearce reacts to Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Dortmund

“I don't need a scarf in the summer!” joked a beaming Klopp after accepting a gift from a wide-eyed supporter.

Mohamed Salah didn't feature against Dortmund having only just started his pre-season but the Egypt winger, flanked by security, went for a stroll to sign dozens of shirts.

“You are a freaking legend,” bellowed one fan before another shouted: “I genuinely love you Mo.”

A boss night had at BOSS night

Scouse singer Jamie Webster performed in front of 1,500 bouncing US Kopites at the BOSS night in Charlotte.

Webster entertained the locals after Kop legends Robbie Fowler, Ian Rush, John Arne Riise and Sami Hyypia had taken to the stage.

"A wonderfully emotional evening in Charlotte," tweeted Reds CEO Peter Moore.

Salah the speedster

Is there nothing that Mo Salah can't turn his hand to?

The Reds winger and Academy keeper Caoimhin Kelleher were the surprise stars of the pit-stop competition on the club's visit to Roush Fenway Racing in Charlotte.

The squad were divided into pairs and the challenge was to change the nuts on the tyres in the fastest possible time.

Daniel Sturridge gave an honest assessment of his efforts: “I gave it my best bro, but I messed up. Look at the state of that!”

But Salah and Kelleher fared considerably better as they took the spoils. “Easy,” was the 44-goal winger's verdict.

Pulisic shows his class

(Image: AP)

Christian Pulisic didn't just impress with his match-winning double against Liverpool.

The Dortmund winger was also a class act after the final whistle when he was carrying out his TV duties on the field.

A young Dortmund fan, no older than 10, raced on to the pitch desperate to meet his hero.

An overzealous member of the security staff manhandled the youngster and started dragging him away.

Spotting what was going on, Pulisic broke off from his interview, demanded that the kid was let go and embraced him before signing his shirt and posing for a photo.

Reds meet youngsters

After Monday's recovery session, Jurgen Klopp met youngsters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Street Soccer USA and the club's membership scheme for a special cooking clinic in Charlotte. The Reds boss was given a helping hand by the club's head of nutrition Mona Nemmer.

The Big Apple awaits

Liverpool will train in Charlotte on Tuesday morning before flying on to New York. They will base themselves in New Jersey in preparation for Wednesday's second tour game against Manchester City at the MetLife Stadium.

Day Four - Nightmare delay means low key arrival

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool endured a nightmare eight-hour delay en route to New Jersey.

There was no fanfare following the Liverpool manager's arrival and he absolutely loved it.

“It's the first time kids aren't excited when I'm around,” Klopp beamed.

“The hype is over. Let's make a test 'Wow, Jurgen Klopp is around! (he shouted). No reaction! Very good, I like it.”

The Reds’ head of nutrition Mona Nemmer helped Klopp show the kids how to make a range of healthy breakfast options.

“Which is your favourite team? Come on, tell the truth,” Klopp asked one of the youngsters. Barcelona came the reply.

“Barca? Who is Barca?” Klopp added. “That's why nobody reacts. (Lionel) Messi should be here!”

Shaqiri is worth the white-knuckle ride..

The 26-mile journey from the ECHO's base in Manhattan to Short Hills in New Jersey to speak to new signing Xherdan Shaqiri turned out to be a white-knuckle ride.

Ignoring his sat nav, the Uber driver headed the wrong way down a one-way street before we had even reached the Lincoln Tunnel. A torrent of choice words from enraged New Yorkers coming the other way followed.

Once in New Jersey, he then decided to stop in the middle of the highway, unsure which way the sat van was sending him. Cars flew past on either side, honking their horns as a storm of biblical proportions hit.

Somehow we made it unscathed. Thankfully, it proved to be worth the trip.

As his new team-mates rested in their rooms ahead of the game against Manchester City, Shaqiri was engaging company. He's going to be a real asset - both on and off the field.

BOSS night had in New York

New York Kopites turned out in force for two special events in Manhattan on the eve of the game against Manchester City.

Hundreds packed into the M1-5 Lounge for a special Q&A with Robbie Fowler and John Arne Riise before singer Jamie Webster took to the stage to perform at the BOSS night in conjunction with Liverpool FC.

The link up with BOSS on this tour has proved to be a master stroke by the club's head of tourism Tom Cassidy. The Reds of Ann Arbor are in for a treat on Saturday.

From listening to Webster in Tribeca it was then a short cab ride down to the Irish American Pub in the financial district for The Anfield Wrap's gig where the atmosphere was bouncing.

The lads raffled off a signed Andy Robertson shirt and raised over £1,000 for North Liverpool Foodbank. A fine effort.

Reds do their bit

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Liverpool CEO Peter Moore and Kop legend Sami Hyypia helped out in the LFCNY food drive for the Father’s Heart Ministries in the East Village.

"Always a privilege to visit our fans at the 11st Bar, and more importantly, to be able to give back to local communities in need," tweeted Moore.