Liverpool face action-packed Thai trip
Liverpool FC are preparing an action-packed programme of entertainment for Thai fans during their three-day visit to Thailand from July 26 to 28.
The Reds, who last visited in 2009, will end their trip with a match against the national team in Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium on July 28. But the visit, part of their 2013 pre-season tour presented by Standard Chartered, will be about more than just playing football.
Fans here will also have the chance to get up close and personal with the players, thanks to LFC’s official partner Standard Chartered. Supporters can attend their training session on July 26, followed by a public “meet and greet” at Siam Paragon on July 27.
On match day, a football clinic for youth players will be held by Liverpool legends and coaches from the club’s academy.
Yesterday saw details of the visit released at the LFC Asia Tour in Thailand press conference in Bangkok – but no player list.
“We hope ‘Captain Marvel’ Steven Gerrard will lead the team to Thailand,” said president and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Lyn Kok.
Lyn said the club’s visit should come as no surprise given that Thailand has 14 million LFC supporters, or 21 per cent of their worldwide fan base. That’s why they were returning for the fourth time, she added, as they knew they would receive a warm welcome again from Thai fans.
After partnering up with Liverpool in 2010, Standard Chartered’s brand awareness had increased to 43 per cent in two years, said Lyn.
Holders of Standard Chartered credit and debit cards will get first access to match tickets discounted by 15 per cent during an “early-bird” sale period from April 20-May 3, before public sale from June 1.
Tickets at Bt500 to Bt3,000 will go on sale at ThaiTicketMajor, with those worth Bt2,000 or more including a free ticket to attend the training session.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is eager to get his first taste of Thais’ fanatical support for the Reds, after hearing stories from those at the club who have experienced it before.
“I haven’t visited Bangkok before, but having spoken to the people here who’ve experienced the Asia tour, and knowing the levels of support we have out in those countries, I’m really interested to see that first hand,” he told LiverpoolFC.com.
Rodgers insisted that the Bangkok friendly was also a vital part of pre-season preparations.
“Every game we’ll take seriously, because they’re part of our preparations,” he said. “We’ve tried to get the best opponents we possibly could.”
Two other English Premier League clubs will also visit Bangkok in July. Manchester United will play a friendly on July 13, while Chelsea will play on July 17. Both will face a Thailand All Star XI.
