On the membership and tickets "thingy"... I'm Australia based but was in the UK in August and had plans to go to Anfield for the Bournemouth game.
Me and my lad (who works overseas) signed up as members which cost us around 46 pounds each - this gave us a member number that could be added to friends and family season tickets to allow then to be transferred if a ticket couldnlt be used by the holder.
There was an application window where we could apply for match tickets under the member scheme but we got nowhere near as the applications world wide far exceeded the availability.
I've been a long time member of the local (New South Wales) Official Supporters Club and they apply each year for tickets under the Supporters Club scheme but didn't get an allocation for the game (first home game of the season)
Friends and family didn't have spares so in the end I bit the bullet and paid stupid (as in STUPID) money for a couple of hospitality tickets in the Sir Kenny Stand.
This was only because my grown up Australian born son had never been to Anfield, I'd not been since holding a season ticket for the Anfield Rd end in the 80's and we were not sure of when or if we'd get the chance to go to a game together again for a long time.
I noticed the odd tout selling tickets around the ground but that of course comes with risk (not sure what they were selling or for how much)
In summary, next time, for a one off game I'd skip the membership fee and hope that the game is televised and go plan a) and get a reccomended pub from locals on here and spend the membership on ale and a chippy meal
Hope this helps?
Safe travels and YNWA