MANY Socceroos have English ancestry but few came as close to playing for England as Brad Smith.
The left back wore an England shirt for three years and Harry Kane was among his teammates as he featured for the English under-17s and under-19s between 2011-14. 
Born in Sydney to English parents, Smith signed for Liverpool's academy at 14 and like several before him was on the verge of being lost to Australia because of Football Federation Australia's poor scouting network.
But Ange Postecoglou's persistence paid off and Smith eventually was cleared to play for the Socceroos in   September 2014, nine months after making his senior Liverpool debut.
Tomorrow he will line up against a handful of Reds teammates and almost certainly duel with Adam Lallana, who is due to start on the right wing, and possibly right back Nathaniel Clyne.
"I've played with Harry Kane and all the (Liverpool) boys I've played with at club level, so it'll be interesting playing against them," Smith said. "It will (feel weird) a little bit, but I'm an Aussie now, I've pledged my allegiance." Smith, 22, was thrilled with his season considering his future was in limbo at the start of it as he was out of contract until   November when the Reds finally re-signed him.
He played 10 games and won the Liverpool academy's players' player of the year award.
Smith has two years left on his contract.
"It was a difficult time for my family but I'm back from that and it's been a great season for me and a few of the young boys. The manager's given me some chances," he said. "A lot of boys have got internationals now, then we'll have time off and return for pre-season.
"I'll stay fit, work hard and see what happens from there."I'll hopefully do well in pre-season and stay at the club but if not, speak to the manager and if he wants me to go on loan and get experience I'm happy to do that."