English Premiership side Liverpool are thinking about giving their trip to China this summer a miss over fears of the SARS virus in the country.

The Anfield club are due to visit Hong Kong and China in July as part of their pre-season preparations, but chief executive Rick Parry admits the likelihood of going to China in its current state is "very, very remote".

Neighbours Everton have already pulled out of a similar trip because of the outbreak of the disease, and the Reds will announce their decision in the next two weeks.

Parry saids: "Obviously we are concerned about the problems that the SARS outbreak has caused and we're monitoring the situation daily. We're due to be going to Hong Kong and China but at the moment I would say the likelihood of going to China is very, very remote.

"We're not rushing into making a decision but we'll have to make one by the middle of May because we need some certainty. We are clearly not going to do anything that will put any of the players at risk."