Macca and Liverpool legends land in Bangkok
Still missing Robbie Fowler's lethal touch inside the box or Steve McManaman's mazy runs through the opposition defence? A chance to watch the Liverpool legends in action again arrives on Monday, with the Thailand & Liverpool Masters Football Tour.
The pair of Liverpool greats will line up with more of the Merseyside club’s former stars, including Czech pair Vladimir Smicer and Patrik Berger, against a side of former national players from the ’90s Dream Team squad led by Kiatisak “Zico” Senamuang, in a fixture at Rajamangala Stadium.
Speaking to press at Bangkok’s Westin Grande Sukhumvit yesterday, the 42-year-old McManaman, who spent nine years at Liverpool in the ’90s, confirmed he was ready for Monday’s match.
“We’re fit and ready for the match. Everybody has been training hard. We have trained separately in different countries with one focus – to play the game. We’re going to take the game in a professional way,” said McManaman, who was catching a flight to Singapore the same day to join up with his former team-mates, before they return to Bangkok on Sunday.
Carrying a little more weight than in his playing days, the Englishman also said he was looking forward to the reception from local fans, who have always given him a warm welcome in Thailand.
“I’m absolutely thrilled when we come to Thailand. We have so many fans. I believe the [Liverpool] fan club around Bangkok is many, many thousands of people – some say millions. It’s absolutely amazing, particularly overwhelming for me and other Liverpool players.
“Whenever we come here, we meet with our fans and we always have a fantastic time. So, we’re very happy to be here,” said McManaman, who will play in front of Polish keeper Jerzy Dudek, whose heroics in Liverpool’s penalty shoot-out against AC Milan helped the club win its fifth European crown in 2005.
Sitting beside the former England midfielder, the 41-year-old Kiatisak, now in charge of the Thai team as national coach, said he hoped the game would turn out to be great entertainment for the fans.
“I’ve looked after myself well after retirement, trying to stay fit. I’m also lucky to have a chance to play a bit when I oversee national-team training.
“I know that many English professionals take good care of themselves after retiring from the game, with some playing Sunday league. So they will be fit for the match. I hope it’s an entertaining game.”
Tickets priced at Bt100, Bt200, Bt300 and Bt500 are available at Thaiticketmajor.
