Match Report: Thailand 1 - 1 LiverpooL

Sutee Sumsomkit's second-half equalizer saw Thailand secure a battling draw with Liverpool in a pre-season friendly at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Ryan Babel put the Barclays Premier League side in front after six minutes but substitute Sutee struck with a consummate finish midway through the second period to ensure the encounter ended all-square.

Thailand had the first sight of goal with just a minute on the clock when Diego Cavalieri's poor clearance fell straight to Datsakorn Thonglao but he shot wide from 30 yards with the Liverpool 'keeper scrambling back towards goal.

The visitors took the lead when Jamie Carragher hit a long diagonal ball that picked out Babel's run after he had got in front of Suree Sukha.

The Dutchman's touch took him away from the defender before he beat Kosin Hathairattanakul with a low finish.

Babel could have doubled the lead five minutes later when Krisztian Nemeth collected a weak headed clearance and played the winger in down the left but Kosin got down well to block.

He had another chance after 20 minutes when he met Lucas' perfectly flighted ball from the left in space at the far post but cushioned his volley wide.

Datsakorn then fired a 25-yard free-kick over the bar as the Thais were unable to convert a decent amount of possession into clear chances.

Liverpool made a host of changes at the break but Martin Skrtel lasted only 10 minutes before limping off and fellow substitute Nabil El Zhar was replaced two minutes later.

Javier Mascherano warmed Kosin's hands with a stinging drive but the second half was proving a low-key affair until the 71st minute when the hosts equalized.

Sutee played a neat one-two with Teerasil Dungda and the former's left-footed finish found the bottom corner beyond substitute keeper Peter Gulacsi's outstretched hand.

Andrea Dossena was sent clear by Andriy Vornonin following a swift interchange but shot straight at Kosin before the Ukrainian wasted a glorious chance nine minutes from time when put clean through by Fernando Torres but missed from 10 yards and Glen Johnson curled an effort wide in injury time as Thailand held on.

Liverpool's Martin Skrtel Suffers Hamstring Injury In Friendly

Liverpool lost central defender Martin Skrtel to a hamstring injury in today's 1–1 draw with Thailand in a pre-season friendly. The Slovak international came on as a half-time substitute but lasted only 10 minutes on a rain-soaked afternoon before grabbing the top of his right hamstring and walking gingerly off the field.

Nabil El Zhar came off soon after with an injured right knee after attempting a bicycle kick. The club's medical staff are assessing the players but the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez, admitted his disappointment at the injuries. "They were not the best conditions here today and the worst thing was to lose Skrtel and El Zhar. The idea of the game was to improve match fitness, so to lose two players is bad news," he told the club's official website.

The midfielder Xabi Alonso, subject of intense transfer speculation about a move to Real Madrid, did not make an appearance. Fernando Torres made his first appearance of the pre-season, coming on for the latter stages of the second half.

Liverpool's starting team contained five regular first-team players: Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, Lucas Leiva, Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger. The opening goal came in the sixth minute as Carragher played a long ball into the path of Babel, who outpaced the defence, controlled the ball and slotted past the goalkeeper. But Liverpool looked rusty, struggling to combine effectively in the attacking half. Babel volleyed another long pass wide and had another effort stopped by the goalkeeper.

Thailand's equaliser came in the 72nd minute as substitute Sutee Suksomkit played a neat one-two and calmly placed his shot past the onrushing substitute goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.

Liverpool changed 10 players at the break, with their new signing Glen Johnson coming on and playing in an unfamiliar left-back position, while Javier Mascherano and Andriy Voronin were among those also given a run-out in the second half.

Rafael Benitez Urges Liverpool To Step Up Premier League Preparations

Liverpool have lost their opening two games of their pre-season, and although manager Rafael Benitez isn't concerned by the results or the performances, he wants to see his side return to winning ways when they take on Thailand this evening.

Speaking to the clubs official website, Benitez said, “We know there is going to be a fantastic crowd here and that they will be giving us great support, so of course we want to win for them.”

The Liverpool boss went on to give his reaction to the club's support in Thailand, saying, “When you come to a country like Thailand and see all the supporters then it again makes you proud to be the manager of the club. I hope we can put on a show for the fans tonight, but it won't be easy.”

Reflecting on his team's preseason so far, Benitez added, "The only thing wrong with our games so far have been the results, especially the last one in Vienna. The players are working hard in difficult conditions out here, but we are preparing them properly for the season which is when it really matters."

Latest On Steven Gerrard Court Case

Liverpool FC Steven Gerrard was in a "huff" before he attacked a man with a barrage of punches, a court heard on Wednesday.

Gerrard, 29, confronted Marcus McGee after he refused to give him control of a stereo at the Lounge Inn bar in Southport, Merseyside, last year.

The England midfielder was drinking in the early hours of December 29 with a throng of friends to celebrate his team’s 5-1 drubbing of Newcastle.

He downed bottles of Budweiser and a Jammy Donut shot.

Gerrard - who said he was seven out of 10 on a drunkenness scale - returned to confront businessman Mr. McGee and threw three punches at him, the player said.

On Wednesday, Liverpool Crown Court heard from barman Nathaniel Lockie who relived the attack and claimed Gerrard was in a "huff" after not getting his own way.

He said: "Gerrard grabbed the back of his jumper and pulled it over his head, pulled him down and started uppercutting him.

"While that happened I ran round to the other side of the bar trying to help and he (Gerrard) was dragged off into the restaurant."

Mr. McGee, 34, said when he refused to hand over control of the music Gerrard asked him: "Who the f*** do you think you are?"

He said of the attack several minutes later: "I remember a barrage of punches coming in at my face but I didn’t know who has done what.

"Having watched the CCTV it was obvious Steven Gerrard hit me a couple of times, maybe three times but I couldn’t honestly say on the night.

"I didn’t know who did what."

The first shot was actually thrown by Gerrard’s friend John Doran, 29, of Huyton, Liverpool.

He and four other men have admitted affray and threatening behaviour.

The victim said the millionaire midfielder tried to grab a card controlling the stereo from him.

"I didn’t give it to him, no," he said.

"It wasn’t my permission to be giving it out to somebody else, it was my job so I didn’t hand it over.

"He made a move to try to grab the card to take it away and I remember it slipped on the floor at one stage."

He denied punching back at Gerrard when they clashed violently.

But in a police interview read to court, Gerrard claimed it was the other way round.

The father-of-two said he had permission from manageress Sabrina Malik to pick some songs and Mr. McGee was arrogant and rude to him.

He told detectives: "He grabbed my music menu off me and said ’You are not f****** deciding what music goes on in here’."

He added: "When he grabbed it I said ’What’s your problem, why can’t I change it?’

"He basically said to me ’I am not putting your music on.’

"It was quite aggressive, and I said ’What’s the f****** problem, why can’t I put my music on?

"He said ’Because you f****** can’t, you’re not allowed.

"I said ’I have permission to do it’."

The seven women and five men of the jury heard that Gerrard felt upset and "gutted" about what happened.

The player told detectives Mr. McGee proceeded to stare at him through a gap in a partition wall.

Gerrard, married to model Alex Curran, wanted to sort the problem out so went back to discuss it with Mr. McGee, he said.

"I didn’t go over there intentionally to have another argument or start fighting," he said.

"I was having a good night but I was gutted and just wanted to straighten it out with him."

Gerrard said he believed Mr. McGee was going to attack him.

"He stood up quite aggressively out of his stool and I thought to myself ’I am not going to be able to sort this out in the way I wanted’," Gerrard said.

"I thought he was going to give me a smack.

"He was shouting back and I didn’t know what he was saying but he started arguing and I thought he was going to hit me so that’s why I threw a punch."

Mr. McGee lost a front tooth crown and suffered a cut face in the melee.

Gerrard’s police interviews end with his solicitor, Richard Green, saying the star was "deeply apologetic" about what happened.

"He understands his obligations and responsibilities and this is completely out of character and out of the blue," he said.

"He is extremely remorseful for what actually happened and certainly there wasn’t any intention for events to turn out that way."

The court heard that when arrested Gerrard was "totally co-operative" with police.

He is expected to go into the witness box on Thursday morning.

Glen Johnson Amazed By Liverpool Fan Support In Thailand

Liverpool's latest major acquisition has been overwhelmed by the fanfare that the club has received in Thailand, where they will play a pre-season friendly.

"It's unbelievable," beamed Glen Johnson to the club’s official website. "The lads were saying before we came out that we had a great support over here and it's incredible to see so many fans everywhere we go.”

The 24-year-old went on to speak of how the fans influence him to perform on the pitch, saying, “Of course when you see such support it makes you even more determined to do well.

"I want to play with the consistency I had at Portsmouth but I want to improve both the defensive and attacking side of my game. I want to establish myself in the team."

Johnson also commented on the Reds’ prospect of challenging for the Premier League title during the coming season.

"Last season Liverpool only made one or two minor errors and if we can improve on that, we have a great chance [to win the title]," he concluded.

Mascherano Wants To Quit Reds - Agent

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is keen to secure a move to Spain as he has grown "tired of life in England", according to his agent.

The Argentina international is a reported target of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but the enforcer remains part of Reds manager Rafa Benitez's plans.

However, Mascherano's representative, Walter Tamer, has claimed the 25-year-old has grown unsettled in the Premier League and is eager to move abroad.

Tamer is quoted by Infobae.com as saying: "Barcelona is the easiest deal to set up as Javier wants to go to Spain. He is tired of life in England.

"His wife has not been given a permanent visa. She has to go through an odyssey each time she wants to go.

"Liverpool refuse to sell, this can be overcome with an extraordinary offer."

Carragher Wants Xabi Alonso Saga Sorted Out

Liverpool FC defender Jamie Carragher wants Xabi Alonso transfer to stay at Liverpool FC but hopes the saga won't drag on through the summer.

Alonso’s future on Merseyside has been the subject of intense speculation with Real Madrid reportedly interested in a £30million deal, while the Spaniard’s name has also been linked with Chelsea and Manchester City among others.

Boss Rafael Benitez has so far sidestepped the issue during Liverpool’s two-match tour of Asia, only going so far as to confirm the 27-year-old will remain a Red until after the game against a Singapore XI on July 26.

However, Carragher believes a decision on Alonso’s future needs to be made sooner rather than later with the new Premier League season less than a month away.

"The feeling within the squad, he is a top player and you do not want to lose your top players and hopefully it can be sorted out as quickly as possible," he said.

"If the club thinks it is in the best interests of the club sometimes you have to do what is in the best interests of the club.

"But that’s a personal matter for the manager and the club. We all go through these situations - well hopefully not me - and as I said, I just hope it gets sorted out sooner rather than later."

Alonso did not feature in Liverpool FC’s 1-1 draw with Thailand in a pre-season friendly in Bangkok due to a slight ankle injury, lending further weight to the notion he is about to leave Anfield.

However fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano, another whose Liverpool FC future has been cast into doubt, did play although the Argentinian elected not to speak to the media following the game.

Ryan Babel, who has been tipped by Benitez to play a significant role this season, opened the scoring for the visitors with six minutes gone at the Rajamangala Stadium and spurned two further chances to add to his tally before Sutee Sumsomkit levelled in impressive fashion midway through the second period to leave the Reds still searching for their first pre-season victory.

There was a further setback when Martin Skrtel limped off 10 minutes after coming on at half-time and while Benitez said it was too early to tell how long the defender could be ruled out for, it was nevertheless an unwanted blow.

"I’m really disappointed because Martin has had a problem with his hamstring and a little bit with the ligaments in his knee, so we have to wait," he said.

Carragher echoed his manager’s disappointment over his centre-back partner’s exit.

"That’s part and parcel of football. It’s disappointing but hopefully he will be ready for the start of the season because he’s a top player," he said.

Despite being held by Peter Reid’s team and seeing his charges spurn a number of chances, Benitez was nevertheless pleased with Liverpool FC’s performance.

"We had some chances, we were playing against a team that was well organised, and they play quick," the Spaniard said.

"So you come to a new continent and conditions are different, always more difficult, but I was pleased with the performance of some players.

"We knew that physically they are strong, they are quick, and then the pace of the other team is important. So we had to have some really good movement and I was really pleased with them."

Benitez, though, was reluctant to talk up his side’s Premier League title chances this term following last season’s impressive campaign.

"We have to keep working and try to be contenders," he added.

"I don’t think that we need to put any pressure on anyone. So we just keep improving and then we can stay there."

Manchester City To Launch Ambitious Bid For Liverpool's Xabi Alonso

While the football world is expecting Xabi Alonso to move to Real Madrid, Manchester City are plotting an audacious bid of their own for the Liverpool star.

The Alonso saga has dragged on all summer, with the player appearing keen to move to the Bernabeu.

However, as that deal continues to linger in limbo, Man City are preparing a bid. According to The Daily Express, the Citizens are now willing to match Alonso's £35 million valuation, and could even increase their bid to fend off Los Merengues.

It is unlikely that Alonso would choose City over Madrid, but should Los Blancos pull out of the race, Mark Hughes' side are ready to pounce.

Dirk Kuyt Is Starstruck In Presence Of Liverpool FC Legend Kenny Dalglish

Dirk Kuyt admitted even he was star struck after he warmed up for yesterday’s clash with Thailand by putting local youngsters through their paces in Bangkok.

The Reds striker was joined by new club ambassador Kenny Dalglish for the adidas sports clinic held in sweltering conditions at the Chulalongkorn Stdaium.

“The standard was quite high and the most important thing was to see the kids enjoying themselves and having fun,” said Kuyt, who was presented with a cake to mark his 29th birthday.

“It was a bit strange giving the clinic alongside Kenny because he was a hero of mine.

“To be with him helping the kids was fantastic.

“We really enjoyed ourselves out there, and it’s great that the club can do so many positive things while we are over here.”

Dalglish, who received a rapturous ovation, took the chance to show off his skills and pass on some tips.

“We put them through their paces for a bit and the lads did well,” he said.

“It’s never easy in this heat but everyone seemed to be having a good time and it was fun to be involved.

“Dirk probably did a bit more than me because he has younger legs, but it was good to get back out onto the field again and run around a bit.”

Dalglish admits even he has been stunned by the welcome the Reds have had from the Thai people.

“It really opens your eyes to the support and the feelings people have for Liverpool from all over the world,” he said.

“When people attach themselves to a club, no matter how far away they are you want to be able to do things for them and if us being here makes the people of Thailand happy then that’s great.

“I’d heard about the Thai fans and their support of Liverpool before but had never actually seen it. It has been fantastic from the minute we arrived at the airport.”

Liverpool Need At Least One Good Striker If They Are Going To Compete

Tony Cascarino, a football league veteran of over 600 games for the likes of Aston Villa and Chelsea, believes Liverpool are overly dependent on the fitness of Fernando Torres, and suggested they will need to add a top level striker should they wish to compete for the Premier League.

Speaking to footballpools.com Cascarino said: “The striker situation remains a problem for Rafa Benitez.”

“Fernando Torres is absolutely top drawer but you just can’t rely on him all season with his hamstring problems.”

“Another striker is a necessity and he has to be of a standard to perform in the first team rather than someone with potential as Torres is unlikely to stay fit for an entire season.”

“The problem is that prices for established strikers are just so huge and I don’t feel that Benitez will want to splash out £25m on a forward after having his fingers burned last season by the purchase of Robbie Keane.”

“David Ngog certainly doesn’t look ready but Ryan Babel could be an alternative as a central striker.”

“I’ve seen him play there before and he certainly possesses lightning pace and a powerful shot but it would seem Rafa is not a fan judging by the few opportunities the Dutchman has been given.”

“Whether Alonso goes or not, Liverpool need to bring in at least one good striker if they are going to compete for the title once again.”

Reds To Deal In Ayala

Liverpool are ready to reward young defender Daniel Sanchez Ayala with a new deal, skysports.com understands.

Sanchez Ayala joined Liverpool at the start of 2007/08 campaign after being snapped up from Sevilla.

The 18-year-old is highly rated by the Liverpool coaching staff and has established himself as a regular in the reserves in the last couple of seasons.

Sanchez Ayala has yet to make his first-team debut, but he has featured in Liverpool's first two pre-season friendlies this summer

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is a big admirer of the central defender and is keen to tie him to a new long-term contract.

Liverpool Have Squad To Challenge For Title, Insists Benitez

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is uncertain how Ronaldo's departure will impact Manchester United's title challenge this season but is confident the Reds have the squad to match the defending champions.

United have only spent around a quarter of the £80million they received from Real Madrid for the Portugal winger on Antonio Valencia from Wigan and Bordeaux's Gabriel Obertan while Michael Owen joined the club after his Newcastle contract expired.

However, Carlos Tevez also left Old Trafford for Manchester City and it remains to be seen how both his and Ronaldo's exits will affect the Red Devils this season.

Benitez, whose only major signing so far this summer is full-back Glen Johnson, downplayed the significance of Ronaldo's departure but believes United's spending is not over despite Sir Alex Ferguson's previous claims to the contrary.

'I don't know," he said when asked if Ronaldo's switch to Real Madrid means Liverpool now have a better chance of winning the Premier League.

'I'm sure that they will have some money and they will buy some players so they will be strong but we've really improved with Glen (Johnson) so hopefully we can be a little bit better and it will be enough.'

City manager Mark Hughes has quickly set about spending some of the Middle Eastern owners' millions in the transfer market in an effort to break into the top four and bring Champions League football to Eastlands.

United boss Ferguson has, however, dismissed suggestions their city rivals will prove serious title contenders this season but Benitez was more guarded in his assessment of the Eastlands club's credentials.

'I think that every club now in the Premier League is trying to improve, City is one of them so you never know,' he added.

'At least I would like to be there at the top of the table and be contenders but I cannot say too much about the other teams.'

Glen Johnson Eyes Premier League Glory With Liverpool FC

New signing Glen Johnson is aiming to reproduce the form that won him an England recall last season as he eyes Premier League glory with Liverpool.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez signed the full-back from Portsmouth for a reported £17million following an impressive season on the south coast that saw Fabio Capello restore him to the national team after an absence of almost three years.

Johnson made an encouraging debut in the recent pre-season friendly with St Gallen and his versatility may also prove a useful asset to Benitez, with the 24-year-old able to operate at right or left-back as well as in midfield.

"I just want to play with the consistency I did last year and, hopefully, with the attacking play and the defensive side that I’ve improved on," he said.

"I’d just like to be doing that week in, week out again.

"They’re (Liverpool) right up there with the world’s best and they showed that by how close they came last season so a few minor errors that could be cut out and there will be massive improvements.

"It’s a whole different club, the organization and the professionalism of all the staff makes a difference."

Johnson is Benitez’s only major signing of the summer to date as he plots to go one better than last season’s runners-up finish in the Barclays Premier League.

Babel Ready To Repay The Faith Insists Benitez

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Ryan Babel will justify the faith he has shown in him – starting with tomorrow’s friendly against Thailand in Bangkok.

The 22-year-old Dutchman has struggled to live up to his £11.5million price tag since he arrived from Ajax two years ago.

However, Benitez has resisted the temptation to offload the winger and is backing Babel to be a major hit at Anfield next season.

“We have been really impressed with Ryan,” Benitez said.

“He worked hard in the summer and he came back really fit.

“He’s trying to do his best and that’s very positive when you have a player with his talent.

“The first two years in a foreign country are always difficult. Now he has the right mentality and I’m sure he will improve.”

The Reds touched down in Thailand yesterday after a 10-hour flight from Vienna and received a hero’s welcome in the capital Bangkok.

They face Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 2pm UK time) before making the short trip to play Singapore on Sunday.

After a goalless stalemate with St Gallen and a 1-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna, Benitez is looking for a big improvement.

The 28-man squad has been boosted by the return of Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Alvaro Arbeloa, Andrea Dossena and Javier Mascherano following their extended summer breaks.

"For us this is a really important stage of the season," Benitez said.

“Everything we do is preparing the players for the first Premier League game. We must spend this time getting them match fit and working on tactics.

“We analysed what happened last year and know what we can improve on. This time is crucial to what we achieve when the season starts.

“We will continue to prepare them well this week and look to play well in the games.

“It was disappointing to lose in Vienna and you can’t be happy when you don’t win but there were lots of positives to take from the game.

“Hopefully we can keep working well and keep working hard over here.”

Benitez refused to be drawn on Alonso’s future – despite a barrage of questions about where the midfielder will be playing next season.

The midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid but he is expected to play some part in tomorrow’s fixture.

“Xabi Alonso is with us and available,” Benitez said. “His future is to enjoy his time here this week with the people in Thailand – enjoy the weather, the game and the journalists. For the next week he will be here.

“We will talk together about tactics, prepare for the game and try to enjoy our football.

“We have a lot of respect for our fans here so we will try to use all the senior players.

“But the Spanish players and Dossena and Mascherano arrived back late because of the Confederations Cup and internationals, so they will probably not play as much as the other players.”

Meanwhile, Benitez is unlikely to be conducting any transfer business while he’s away after insisting he’s happy with the make up of his squad.

“We have already signed Glen Johnson, an England international, who is a very good signing,” he said.

“Also Andriy Voronin has come back after being one of the best players in the German League.”

Liverpool Set For Aquilani Talks

Il Corriere dello Sport understands Liverpool have flown to Italy for talks with Roma about the prospect of signing Alberto Aquilani.

Yesterday Roma fans staged a protest expressing their anger at the club's lack of activity in the transfer market this summer.

As takeover talks come to a standstill and with no new investment in sight, Roma will have to sell if they are to buy ahead of next season.

Reports suggest Liverpool have identified Aquilani as the perfect replacement for Xabi Alonso, who appears ready to leave for Real Madrid.

Il Corriere believes Roma have told Aquilani that they will sell him should a decent offer arrive.

The 25-year-old who was born and bred in Rome struggled with injury last season, but also signed a new contract a couple of months ago.

Yesterday his agent, Franco Zavaglia, denied the existence of an offer from Liverpool.

“For now, they have not contacted me. I don't know anything. For now, there is nothing concrete,” Zavaglia said.

Roma have made a habit of selling one of their jewels every summer for the last three years.

Duffen Denies Reds Rumours

Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has dismissed reports that he is a contender to become Liverpool's new chief executive.

Liverpool are aiming to appoint a new chief executive after Rick Parry left his position at Anfield at the end of last season.

Reports had claimed that Duffen was to be put on a short-list of candidates to replace Parry on Merseyside.

However, Duffen has branded the speculation 'ridiculous' and insists his focus is on helping manager Phil Brown improve his squad.

"It's a great example of the silly season at work, it's ridiculous," Duffen told the Hull Daily Mail.

"I am completely focused on working with the manager and strengthening the squad for next season."

Duffen has been with the Tigers for the past two years and also holds a shareholding in the Premier League club.

Benitez Expects United Spending

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez expects Premier League title rival Sir Alex Ferguson to use his world-record transfer profits to strengthen Manchester United this summer.

The Red Devils earned a staggering £80million up front from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid this summer to significantly boost funds at Old Trafford.

But despite repeated reports linking him with Franck Ribery and Sergio Aguero, Ferguson has claimed that he will not spend any more money before transfer deadline day.

Benitez, though, believes his opposite number, who has bought Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan while also signing free agent Michael Owen, will venture into the transfer market before the end of August.

"I am sure they will have money and they will buy some players," said the Liverpool boss when asked about United.

Benitez is confident Liverpool will again be able to compete with United in the new season after finishing runners-up in the last campaign.

The Reds have signed Glen Johnson from Portsmouth and Benitez feels the England full-back will add a necessary edge.

"We have to be strong next season. We have improved with Glen and hopefully we can do a little bit better and that will be enough," he said.

Benitez is also aware of the emerging threat of Manchester City, who have spent big this summer on the likes of Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez.

"I think every club now is trying to improve and Manchester City is one of them," he said.

"I would like to be there at the top of the table and be contending but I cannot say too much on the other teams."

Liverpool FC Keen To Build On Incredible Passion Of Far East Fans

When Ian Ayre took over as Liverpool’s commercial director two years ago he didn’t need telling what huge potential there was for the club in Asia.

Having spent 15 years living on this vast continent he had seen for himself the passion and devotion of its football supporters.

And in particular a deep love for Liverpool Football Club.

Six years may have passed since the Reds’ last trip to Thailand but the reception Rafa Benitez and his players received on their arrival in Bangkok yesterday proved that love is undiminished.

The arrival of the Spaniard along with Ryan Babel and Jamie Carragher at a press conference in the team’s stunning Royal Hyatt Erawan Hotel sparked a major scrum and that was just amongst the waiting local media.

Outside hundreds of fans had queued for hours in the searing 33 degree heat and energy-sapping 70% humidity to catch a glimpse of their heroes. Most were decked out in the club’s colours with some even boasting swine flu protective face marks adorned with the LFC crest.

For Ayre, the Reds’ arrival for the week-long tour of Thailand and Singapore was the culmination of nine months hard graft for him and his commercial team.

”Having lived in Malaysia, Hong Kong and China nobody is more aware than me of the power of Liverpool Football Club and of football generally in Asia,” he said.

“Commercially we have a genuine opportunity to do really well here.

“The big difficulty was choosing where to go. Thailand is a great example of a market where we have lots and lots of fans but there are plenty of others. But by choosing Thailand and Singapore we captured most of South East Asia and made it possible for fans from other countries to come and see the team.

“We started planning this trip last October and a lot of work has gone into it.”

This tour will undoubtedly raise the Reds’ profile and provide a welcome boost to the club’s balance sheet but Ayre insists there is much more to this trip than trying to flog more replica shirts.

“It’s less about what we are trying to get out of it and more what we are trying to put in,” he said.

“We build our business on the basis of having fans all around the world who support us and contribute by buying.

“Touring is about giving a bit back and that’s why we’ve brought a really strong squad here.

“Liverpool have been coming on tour to Asia for many years. But the difference now is that we are trying to be a bit more commercially aware.

“We are making sure people know we are here and try to make a bit more of an impact so we continue to grow in that way.

“Most of the tickets for these matches were sold through Adidas outlets rather than the traditional route of selling through ticket agencies. We also used Carlsberg and other retail outlets.

“We also attracted local sponsors with the likes of Tesco, Honda and the tourist authority of Thailand.

“They are taking the opportunity to be associated with Liverpool in this short period.”

Liverpool Insist Asian Tour Is About Fans, Not Money

Liverpool have insisted that the fans, not commercial opportunities, are the reason that they are undertaking their Asian tour.

Many see tours such as this as purely for financial benefit, but the Reds' commercial director, Ian Ayre, told the club's official website, "We have a duty to contribute to these football markets and to our supporters over here.

"We have in place a strong legacy program encompassing many different initiatives and which can be broken down into different areas. For example, we have a knowledge transfer program at which Rafa [Benitez] will meet coaches from Thailand and Singapore, I will be meeting representatives from the local businesses and the medical team will also be having sessions.

"We will be running a kids' program with open training sessions to try and show people what we do and how we do it.

"The important thing is that when our plane lands back in Liverpool there will still be things going on in our name over here which we can continue to support."

Liverpool's first match on tour is against Thailand on Wednesday, before they fly out to Singapore.

Steven Gerrard 'Launched Volley Of Punches'

England footballer Steven Gerrard launched a volley of uppercut punches at a man in a row over music, a court heard today.

The millionaire star "totally lost it" and attacked Marcus McGee, 34, "with the style and speed of a professional boxer" in a 2am bar brawl, it is alleged.

Gerrard was at the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside on 29 December to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Newcastle United hours earlier.

The Reds' captain, who scored twice in the game, was enjoying a night out with a party of friends including Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, 58.

But trouble flared when Mr. McGee refused to hand over a card controlling the CD player.

The victim was in charge of music for the venue after being given the card to pick songs for a staff party in an adjacent room to Gerrard's group.

David Turner QC, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court Gerrard asked McGee for the card, saying: "Here y'are lad. Give me that lad."

Mr. Turner said: "Mr. McGee took offence at his attitude and the expression 'lad' and he refused.

"Not many people on Merseyside, or indeed anywhere else, would refuse a request from Steven Gerrard but Mr. McGee did.

"There can be no doubt that this refusal astounded Steven Gerrard.

"He walked away back to his party but the CCTV shows how much his mood had changed.

"He was no longer the centre of that high-spirited party.

"He was clearly walking around pondering, musing over what had happened - about the man who said 'no' to Steven Gerrard."

Several minutes later CCTV showed Gerrard returning to the victim who was sitting alone at the bar and allegedly confronting him with the words: "Who the f*** do you think you are?"

Mr. McGee stood up and the pair were head to head, Mr. Turner said, "in the sort of hostile confrontation that is often seen between professional footballers".

The barrister added: "Steven Gerrard had clearly lost his cool: he was angry with Marcus McGee."

The situation attracted the millionaire's friends.

One, John Doran, who has admitted affray, pushed McGee away but "could not resist following through with his right elbow into Mr McGee's face", said Mr. Turner.

"We say at this stage Gerrard totally lost it.

"Almost immediately after the blow from John Doran, in fact within seconds, Steven Gerrard joined in the attack with a succession of well aimed uppercut punches delivered with the style and speed of a professional boxer rather than a professional footballer."

In police interview Gerrard said he punched Mr. McGee because he believed he was going to be attacked.

But warning the seven women and five men of the jury, Mr. Turner said: "If you consider Steven Gerrard was or even may have been acting in self defense you will acquit.

"But we say on this occasion Steven Gerrard's fists, not his feet, did the talking.

"This was never self defense in a hundred years."

Gerrard sat in the dock throughout the proceedings listening carefully and looking straight ahead.

As well as Doran, of Woodlands Road, Huyton, Merseyside, five other men admitted affray.

They were Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport.

Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, both Huyton, admitted affray.

John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, admitted threatening behavior after denying affray.

Proceedings will resume tomorrow morning when it is expected Mr. McGee will give evidence.