Fears about the amount of travelling and the hectic schedule were dispelled as Liverpool’s tour of the Far East was a great success both on and off the pitch.
The gruelling heat and humidity will have boosted fitness levels and the two matches were decent, competitive workouts.
But what will live long in the memory is the extraordinary reception the Reds received both in Thailand and Singapore.
It just emphasised the massive commercial opportunities there are for the club on the Asian continent.
Opportunities which must be taken if Liverpool are going to be able to compete financially with Manchester United.
What was clear is that support for the Reds is not just some passing interest in the Far East but a lifelong devotion.
The tour rewarded that dedication and strengthened the esteem in which the club is held among fans who rarely get the chance to see their heroes in the flesh.
There were some moans about ticket prices and the use of the absent Steven Gerrard’s image to promote the matches.
But after a low key welcome Singapore was completely won over as the Reds made numerous public appearances across the city.
The highlight was the players’ boat trip down the Singapore River.
Fans armed with banners lined the banks in their thousands to show their appreciation at the club’s first visit in eight years.
One pleaded with Pepe Reina to win them the title.
He replied: “Jump into the water and we’ll do it for you!” Thankfully, the supporter remained on dry land.
In fact the only real complaint concerned the heavy handed nature of the security team provided by organisers Profitable Group.
Why they felt the need to bring in a group of bicep bulging body builders to accompany the team’s every move is anyone’s guess?
They were intimidating and heavy handed.
The sight of two of them shadowing Xabi Alonso and Kenny Dalglish during a coaching session at a local school was laughable.
The only danger from the pack of excited teenage girls was the threat of a perforated ear drum from the high pitched screams.
The gruelling heat and humidity will have boosted fitness levels and the two matches were decent, competitive workouts.
But what will live long in the memory is the extraordinary reception the Reds received both in Thailand and Singapore.
It just emphasised the massive commercial opportunities there are for the club on the Asian continent.
Opportunities which must be taken if Liverpool are going to be able to compete financially with Manchester United.
What was clear is that support for the Reds is not just some passing interest in the Far East but a lifelong devotion.
The tour rewarded that dedication and strengthened the esteem in which the club is held among fans who rarely get the chance to see their heroes in the flesh.
There were some moans about ticket prices and the use of the absent Steven Gerrard’s image to promote the matches.
But after a low key welcome Singapore was completely won over as the Reds made numerous public appearances across the city.
The highlight was the players’ boat trip down the Singapore River.
Fans armed with banners lined the banks in their thousands to show their appreciation at the club’s first visit in eight years.
One pleaded with Pepe Reina to win them the title.
He replied: “Jump into the water and we’ll do it for you!” Thankfully, the supporter remained on dry land.
In fact the only real complaint concerned the heavy handed nature of the security team provided by organisers Profitable Group.
Why they felt the need to bring in a group of bicep bulging body builders to accompany the team’s every move is anyone’s guess?
They were intimidating and heavy handed.
The sight of two of them shadowing Xabi Alonso and Kenny Dalglish during a coaching session at a local school was laughable.
The only danger from the pack of excited teenage girls was the threat of a perforated ear drum from the high pitched screams.
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