Premier League sides set for Asia

LONDON, May 10 (Reuters) Liverpool and Manchester United lead the Premier League clubs heading to Asia during the close-season.

Liverpool, Fulham and Portsmouth will be in Hong Kong and Reading will be playing in South Korea but United's trip to Asia in July has been criticised because of a clash of dates with the Asian Cup.

Liverpool, who meet AC Milan in the Champions League final on May 23, will play against Fulham, Portsmouth and the winners of the Hong Kong FA Cup in the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong.

Barclays, the sponsors of the FA Premier League, are backing the Asian tournament for the first time.

Portsmouth meet Fulham on July 24, the same day Liverpool play the Hong Kong Cup winners. The final is on July 27.

Reading, meanwhile, have confirmed that they will be taking part in the Peace Cup in South Korea in July, a tournament won by their English rivals Tottenham Hotspur last season.

REUTERS AKD PM2122