Gerrard and Co were with Kopites in letter and spirit

Like many of the Thai fans, I was one of the spectators at the Rajamangala Stadium. Last Sunday was my third in a span of 16 days in the spacious arena.   

As one of the Kopites, I was there to witness Liverpool’s game. Obviously, captain marvel Steven Gerrard was the star of the moment and endeared himself more to the Kops’ hearts with his latest acts.

Off the pitch, the most memorable moment for the fans was when the captain surprised them by staging an impromptu signing session in the team’s Bangkok hotel.

After a training session last Saturday, Gerrard went back to the hotel and saw a long queue of fans waiting for the players at the lobby. Although it was late in the night Gerrard went down from his room at around 11pm. He asked officials to set up a desk and a pen for him to avoid jostling and signed autographs for all the fans. Many fans felt touched by his kindness and friendliness. Some of them were seen crying with happiness.

I also heard a loud applause for the management of the hotel. They allowed fans to have an easy access to their beloved club and players.

On the pitch, it was no doubt, Gerrard who received the loudest cheer from the Kopites in the stadium.

He entertained the fans by playing 90 minutes and scoring a goal. Many of fans sitting beside me praised Gerrard as a man totally devoted to the game and the fans. 

Surprises were not over yet.  

After the final whistle, Gerrard led his team-mates around the stadium to greet and thank all the fans. Liverpool anthem “You’ll never walk alone” was being played in the background as they walked the full 400 meters of the stadium. For the Kops, whom I talked to, it was the greatest moment of their lives.

Another star Luis Suarez was wandering around with a little smile on his face. With his future at Anfield uncertain, Thai fans shouted his name with louder cheers than the captain. It reminded me of Xabi Alonso four years ago when he came to Thailand with reports of the Spaniard bolting to Real Madrid. Xabi, despite the pleas from the Kopites, left for the lucre of Bernabeu Stadium.

Ten out of ten was the score I gave to the team for playing an entertaining game and winning the hearts of the fans. The 3-0 win over Thailand’s under-23 team, the touching moments both on and off the pitch and the friendliness of the team would definitely be etched in the memory of the Kops. 

If the Reds’ tour was just like a family movie, it was ironic that ended in an anti-climax. A tasteless anti-Manchester United banner sparked off wide spread criticism during the match and almost destroyed the joy of the fans.

After the match, Gerrard talked to the Thai media and praised the fans.

“The Kops in Thailand are fantastic. Hopefully, before I retire I’ll come back,” he said.

I ran into Ian Ayre, the managing director of LFC, on the match day and asked him what place he was expecting in the forthcoming season.

“A third place. Is that good enough?” he replied. That sounds great for the Kops all over the world, I guess.