Premier League side Liverpool FC has announced a sales partnership deal with JD.com, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's main rival in online shopping in China.

This deal allows Liverpool to launch an official store on JD Worldwide, the company's online sales platform, to sell its merchandise across China.

"With English football building up a head of steam in China, we are thrilled to welcome Liverpool FC to JD.com and look forward to working together to bring high-quality authentic club merchandise to fans," JD Worldwide's general manager Tony Qiu said.

"Our millions of Reds fans in China are extremely passionate and committed, and we are delighted that they now have quick and convenient access to a wide range of Liverpool FC merchandise on JD.com," said Billy Hogan, Liverpool's chief commercial officer.

Liverpool currently sits eighth in the Premier League table and are in the final of the Europa League. As JD.com said in a statement, the English giant is one of the most popular international football clubs in China, with more than 1.7 million followers on Chinese social media website Weibo.

Source: Reuters

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin.