Football Club Buzz

08.07.11

Damien Comolli has revealed he will use Liverpool’s forthcoming trip to China to scout the country’s best young talent – and that two U17 players have already been offered trials.

The Reds embark on their tour of Asia this Sunday, starting with our first ever trip to China where a friendly will take place with Guangdong.

And while the fitness of our current players will be at the forefront of manager Kenny Dalglish’s mind, Director of Football Comolli has a busy schedule of trials and games to watch.

He told LFCtour.com: “We’ve organised things in China, organised games to watch, trials to watch, we’ll watch young players, and it’ll be very interesting for us to see what level there is.

“It’s a bit difficult to assess China’s football because they don’t qualify often for the World Cups, the full one or the U17 or U20 World Cups.

“As everyone knows, China has got a fantastic basketball player, Yao Ming, they are very good in track and field, so there is no reason we can’t find a player there. Obviously in a few days we might not find someone but we’ll have a good understanding of the level there is and of Chinese players.”

Comolli has already had lengthy discussions with Chinese officials and two of the country’s most promising young footballers have been invited for a trial at the Academy later this summer.

He said: “When we knew we were going to China we got in touch with some Chinese officials and we said, ‘Can we have a look at the best players you think you have in the country?’

“Some we will look at over there and a couple, who we think are two of the best U17s in the national team, will come and train with our Academy in July. That’s going to be very interesting.”

Despite the country’s success in producing well-known names in other sports, Chinese footballers have yet to make a mark on world football – but Comolli thinks it’s only a matter of time.

“I do expect it to change in the next few years, for three reasons,” he explained. “One is numbers – it’s just mathematics that someone will come through because there are 1.2 or 1.3bn people living in China.

“Secondly, all the conversations I’ve had with Chinese officials have made it clear that football is the sport developing most quickly. The more people playing, the more chances there will be.

“The third reason is because, as a country, they are a lot more sports orientated than before – hence the track and field, the swimming, the basketball.”

The scouting mission is part of a global search to bring the best young talent to Merseyside – a search which has already identified numerous targets this summer.

“We have two scouts at the U17 World Cup and they’ve identified several targets from all over the world,” said Comolli. “Then we’ve got two scouts going to the U20 World Cup. We try to be everywhere. It’s very difficult to be everywhere, but we certainly try to be everywhere where we think there are quality players.”

08.07.11

Here are 10 great facts about Liverpool’s new midfield signing…

1. Adam comes from a family of footballers. His father was a professional with Dundee United among other clubs while younger brother Grant is a goalkeeper at Glasgow Rangers.

2. The Dundonian began his career at Rangers and made his first-team bow in the 2003-04 campaign before a loan spell at Ross County, where he hit the headlines by scoring from inside his own half against St Mirren.

3. The Saints were so impressed they took him on loan themselves. Adam then returned to Ibrox in the summer of 2006 and was handed his opportunity to shine by gaffer Paul Le Guen. He admits to changing his diet on the advice of the Frenchman. “I’d never really thought of eating salads before,” he said during an interview in 2010.

4. Adam rewarded his gaffer by hitting double figures and winning Rangers’ Young Player of the Year. He also secured his first international cap for Scotland in a friendly with Austria in May 2007.

5. After struggling for regular senior action in 2008-09 the midfielder moved south of the border to join Blackpool on loan. But his Seasiders’ debut ended in acrimony as he was sent off in a 3-2 reversal against Doncaster. Nonetheless, he would soon find his feet at Bloomfield Road and his loan deal was made permanent that summer for a cut-price £500,000.

6. Adam scored 19 goals in helping his new club gain promotion and his stock continued to rise in the top flight as Blackpool took the Premier League by storm. The pass master kept his nerve to net a penalty in front of the Kop as the Seasiders clinched a 2-1 success over Liverpool in October 2010. The Scot later selected the double victories over Liverpool as his highlight of 2010-11.

7. His form saw him nominated for the PFA Player of the Season accolade – but his own vote went to Scott Parker.

8. Adam played 64 key passes in 2010-11 – ninth most in the Barclays Premier League.

9. Despite his success, he remains grounded. Like all Blackpool players, Adam washed his own kit last season. Well, his partner’s mum did. “I’ll be taking it home tonight and bunging it in the machine at 30 degrees so I can wear it again the morn,” he told a reporter in August. “Well, my fiancee Sophie washes my stuff now. Actually, even that’s not true: her mum does it.”

10. Adam is on Twitter under the name @Charlie26Adam and has more than 110,000 followers. That might sound impressive but he has a way to go to catch Lucas and Glen Johnson around the 200,000 mark.

06.07.11

To celebrate Liverpool’s pre-season friendly in China this month, we’re giving one lucky supporter the chance to win a money-can’t-buy meeting with basketball legend LeBron James.

He’s one of the world’s biggest sporting stars – and also has an ownership interest in LFC – and he could be meeting YOU when he arrives in China this August.

It’s the prize of a lifetime and it could be yours if you have a ticket for the first game of Liverpool’s Standard Chartered sponsored 2011 Asia tour against Guangdong Sunray Cave in Guangzhou on Wednesday July 13, 2011.

One ticket number will be selected at random during halftime and then announced inside the stadium. If you have the winning ticket then you and a guest of your choice  will receive an all expenses paid trip to meet the world’s greatest basketball player.

Match tickets for the game are on sale now – so buy yours today and as well as having the chance to watch Kenny Dalglish’s side live on Chinese soil for the first time, you will also be in with a chance of coming face to face with a sporting legend later in the summer.

Click here for information on how to buy your match tickets>>

Competition Terms and Conditions:

1. Information on how to enter form part of these Terms and Conditions. By participating in this promotion you are deemed to accept these Terms and Conditions.

2. Employees of the Promoter and their immediate families, and employees or family members of any of their subsidiaries are ineligible to enter.  Any such entries will be invalid.

4. In order to enter the draw, you must purchase a match ticket for and be present at the Liverpool FC vs. Guangdong Sunray Cave match on Wednesday, 13th July in Guangzhou, China (the “Match”).

5. Each eligible Match ticket will be automatically entered for the draw.  Entries must not be sent in through agents or third parties. No responsibility can be accepted for lost, delayed, incomplete, or for entries or winning notifications that are not received or delivered. Any such entries will be deemed void.  Only persons 18 years or older are eligible to win.  Buying a Match Ticket and/or attending the Match infers no obligation on you to accept the prize.

6. The first ticket selected at random at halftime of the Match will win the opportunity for the winner and one (1) guest to meet LeBron James in China in August, date and venue to be confirmed.  The Promoter will assume all costs relating to the winner and their guest’s flights, accommodation and reasonable food and beverage requirements only during their one night stay in China. No other costs are included in the prize.

7. The winner will be notified at halftime of the match by the public address system or videoboard at the stadium after the random draw has taken place. The winner shall have until one hour after the end of the match to claim the prize. Failure to respond for delivery of the prize may result in forfeiture of the prize.

8. Prizes are non-transferable or exchangeable and no cash alternative will be offered.

9.  The Promoter may use the winner’s name and image and their comments relating to the prize for future promotional, marketing and publicity purposes in any media worldwide without notice or without any fee being paid.

10. The Promoter reserves the right to cancel, to withdraw or to amend the promotion as necessary due to circumstances outside its reasonable control. The Promoter’s decision on all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into. In the event of unforeseen circumstances the Promoter reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value.

11.  To the extent permitted by law, the Promoter, its employees and agents, exclude any liability they may have to you arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with this competition.

12.  Entrants are advised to print and keep safe these Terms and Conditions.

13.  Promoter: Liverpool Football Club and Athletics Ground Limited, Anfield Road, Liverpool, L4 0TH. Company Registration no.35668, England.

05.07.11

Liverpool FC announced today that Steven Gerrard will not join the rest of the players when they leave for their tour of Asia this Sunday, with the Club Captain remaining at Melwood to continue his rehabilitation programme in time for the start of the new season. The Reds will play games in both China and Malaysia and train in Singapore on the eight day trip to the Far East.

Manager Kenny Dalglish explained: “Steven and the medical team have done fantastically well so far and they are in the final stages of getting him back to full training. I’m sure there will be supporters disappointed that Steven is unable to be with us in Asia, but I’m sure the same people will appreciate the importance of Steven giving himself the best possible opportunity of being fit to play against Sunderland on the opening day of the new campaign. Steven continuing his rehabilitation programme at Melwood is in everybody’s long term interests.”

Steven Gerrard added: “I’d really been looking forward to travelling out to China, Malaysia and Singapore and meeting first hand as many of our fans as possible, and I’m really sorry that I won’t now be able to do that. All of us at the Club realise the incredible support we enjoy in these countries and how much it means to our supporters there. But after sitting down and talking with the medical experts and technical staff, it’s been decided that the best course of action is for me to continue my rehabilitation programme at Melwood. It’s disappointing I won’t be with them, but I’m sure the lads who go out there will put a great show on for our fans.”

05.07.11

Our Main Sponsor Standard Chartered is thrilled that Liverpool FC are coming to Asia in less than two weeks time – so much so that they would like to welcome the team with a gift, and they would like to invite you to be part of it!

All you need to do is leave a message of support for the players as part of Standard Chartered’s new competition, ‘Get Behind Your Team’.

They will pull together all the messages you leave, and they’ll then be presented to the Reds when they are in Asia!

And not only that – the writers of the messages that are most liked by other fans will also be in with a chance to win tour match tickets!

Get Behind Your Team today by clicking here>>

*Terms and conditions apply.

03.07.11

For those fans who need to collect match tickets for the Malaysia XI vs. Liverpool FC fixture in Kuala Lumpur on July 16th, please take note of the following instructions:

Upon purchase of the match tickets from TicketPro, fans were originally informed that tickets bought by overseas visitors could be picked up at the Green Gates at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. This has now changed.

All tickets falling into this category must now be collected from Stadium Putra, the indoor stadium located to the left of the Green Gate in the grounds of the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. This facility has purpose-built ticket counters and air conditioning for those who need to queue.

Stadium Putra will be open daily from the 11th July 2011 between the hours of noon and 7pm.

02.07.11

Liverpool FC has millions of fans just like you all over the world but who are our most famous supporters? From Europe to Asia, Africa to America, we’ve searched high and low to find the most well know Liverpool-supporting celebrities alive today….

10. Caroline Wozniacki

The women’s world No.1 tennis star kept a promise to thousands of her Twitter followers earlier this year by proudly wearing her signed Steven Gerrard Liverpool shirt on court. “Got so many comments about the Liverpool jersey and to step out on court with it… So why not,” she tweeted afterwards.

9. Angelina Jolie

Former wife of actor, musician and LFC fan, Billy Bob Thornton, the actress has continued to follow the Reds despite their separation.  Her son Maddox is a huge Liverpool fan and ‘only wants to play for Liverpool’. Thornton’s passion for the club stems from his love for the city. “I love that town, they’re my kind of people,” he says.

8. Mark Owen

The Take That singer is a big Liverpool fan and has stated that he’d love to perform at Anfield with the band during one of their huge tours. He often requests to tour Liverpool only for his tour manager to claim the stadium isn’t big enough.

7. Kim Cattrall

The English actress famous for her role in ‘Sex and the City’ was born in Liverpool before emigrating to Canada three months later. The actress, who was a guest of Steven Gerrard against Chelsea last season, revealed in an interview that the Reds captain is quite the theatre buff and had been to see one of her recent plays.

6. Dr Dre

The American rapper and record producer started following the Reds whilst on a promotional tour in London back in 1988. He was watching TV when these ‘cool cats in red came on the box’. Dre cites John Barnes as his favourite player but referred to Patrik Berger as ‘the bomb!’ in an interview in 2000.

5. Mike Myers

The Austin Powers star, who was born in Canada in 1963, is a life-long Liverpool fan. He grew up in Toronto, but his parents both originated from the Old Swan area of Liverpool. “I was the only kid in Toronto to wear an olive-green Nehru jacket and support Liverpool FC,” he told LFCToronto.com

4. Daniel Craig

Born in Chester but raised on Merseyside, the James Bond actor is a big Liverpool fan. He idolises captain Steven Gerrard and before one game, the skipper waited for Craig in the Liverpool foyer wanting his photograph taken with ‘Mr Bond’.

3. LeBron James

The world famous American basketball player became a minority stakeholder in the club after he struck a deal with Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group earlier this year. He later went on to show his new-found love for the Reds by wearing a Liverpool polo shirt in one of his post-match press conferences following an NBA game back in the US, as well as Tweeting his delight at the news Kenny Dalglish had signed a permanent three-year deal at Anfield in May.

2. Samuel L. Jackson

The American actor began following the Reds after he starred in cult movie ‘The 51st State’, which was filmed in Liverpool. Jackson even went to Anfield to watch a Merseyside derby clash against Everton. He recalls: “I went to see the derby game when I was there, against Everton. That was cool. I enjoyed that.”

1. Nelson Mandela

During his time as South African President, Mandela met the Liverpool squad during the Reds’ tour of Africa back in 1994. Presented with a Liverpool shirt by John Barnes, he later told the winger in an interview that he was a fan of the club.

24.06.11

Singapore Reds can look forward to another memorable summer as Liverpool Football Club are returning to the country which gave us so many happy memories two years ago.

With the planned visit to Korea having been cancelled earlier this month, the Reds have taken the exciting opportunity to return to Singapore for a special training session on the third leg of their Standard Chartered sponsored pre-season tour of Asia.

Kenny Dalglish’s squad will travel to Singapore – where they enjoyed an unforgettable welcome back in 2009 – immediately after their friendly game in Malaysia on July 16 and will train in front of invited supporters at a training session the following evening before their flight back to Liverpool.

Stay tuned to lfctour.com and liverpoolfc.tv for more information on the Singapore leg of Liverpool’s Asia tour.

Click on the image below to enjoy a FREE video filmed during Liverpool’s last visit to Singapore

24.06.11

While many Liverpool fans around the world might never get the chance to see their Kop heroes in action, for Chinese supporters the dream of seeing Steven Gerrard up close will come true in July.

Kenny Dalglish’s men will kick-off their preparations for the new Barclays Premier League campaign with a friendly match against Guangdong Sunray Cave on July 13 and for at least one local television reporter it will be a day to remember.

Ho Fei, from Guangdong TV, arrived at Melwood in April with a group of media colleagues to take in the sights of his favourite club and couldn’t hide his delight at the prospect of his Anfield idols playing football in his country.

“All football fans are looking forward to this,” he said. “Liverpool have millions of fans in China and the chance to watch them play will be something to enjoy.

“This is a dream come true for me. I have always followed Liverpool because they are a traditional club and also because of their fighting spirit and their players. They are fantastic. I really like Suarez and Gerrard at the moment. I spoke to Carragher and asked him the secret of being able to play in so many positions. He said there isn’t really one.

“When Liverpool arrive there will probably be thousands of fans at the airport waiting for them and looking for autographs and photographs. It will be fantastic, a really explosive atmosphere.”

Liverpool’s rise up the league table over the second half of the season may have been followed from afar by Ho Fei, but he is hopeful the Reds will soon be celebrating title success once again.

“We watch EPL games every week over here,” he added. “And I am really looking forward to Liverpool winning the championship again.”

22.06.11

 

New Liverpool signing Jordan Henderson could make his debut for his new club in China when Liverpool take on Guangdong Sunray Cave on July 13.

Here’s 10 facts you may not know about our new midfielder…

1. Jordan Brian Henderson was born on June 17, 1990 in Sunderland.

2. According to Daily Telegraph stats, just two players completed more key passes than our new boy in 2010-11. Henderson’s 78 was bettered only by Kevin Davies (86) and Florent Malouda (113).

3. He joined Sunderland aged seven and has operated as a striker, a right-winger and, more recently, a central midfielder. He was an integral part of the Sunderland U18 side which clinched back-to-back league titles.

4. Like Raheem Sterling, Henderson once appeared on Soccer AM’s Skill School, displaying some unbelievable tricks.

5. He was just 18-years-old when Roy Keane gave him his debut as a sub against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November 2008. Chelsea won 5-0.

6. He was then sent to Coventry City on loan as a youngster but a metatarsal injury restricted him to just 13 appearances and one goal at the Ricoh Arena.

7. Regular suspensions for Lee Cattermole helped Henderson make 38 appearances in 2009-10, at the end of which he was voted Sunderland’s Young Player of the Year. He retained the title last season.

8. Having already represented England at U19 and U21 level, Henderson was given a first senior cap by Fabio Capello in a friendly against France in November 2010. He lined up in midfield alongside new teammate Steven Gerrard.

9. Talking of Gerrard and Henderson, both midfielders claimed five Barclays Premier League assists last term.

10. The youngster scored five goals in 79 appearances for Sunderland although it is not a tally he is happy with. “It has been a weakness in my game. Top midfielders score goals. It is a vital part of the modern game. l want to score goals and it is something I’ve not managed to do enough of.”

 

21.06.11

Liverpool fans in China are already counting down the days to the arrival of Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and the rest of the squad in July.

That’s the view of Clark Xu, Senior Vice President of Super Sports Media, who led a Chinese media delegation to Liverpool in April during which they attended press conferences with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, watched a training session and took in guided tours of both Anfield and Melwood.

Despite a long and glorious history, Liverpool have never travelled to mainland China and Xu admits excitement levels are already building ahead of their scheduled arrival on July 11.

“Liverpool has a huge fanbase in China, especially in the south, and when it was announced they were coming here it was the hottest headline in town,” he said. “It was a main story across all news organisations and sports websites.

“The fact Liverpool have never been to China has really intrigued fans. They have a massive support because of their long history and also from the legacy of being neighbours with Hong Kong.

“Everyone is really excited about them coming, especially in Guangzho where they will be playing.”

So what can Liverpool expect in China when they do touch down for the first time?

“There will be massive media coverage and I am sure there will be a full stadium to watch them as well,” he added.

“The media are excited as well and that is why we took a large group of them to Melwood. We wanted to see how the club works and to get a glimpse of what is to come in July.”

Liverpool will play Guangdong Sunray Cave in the Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou on July 13.

19.06.11

Fanatical Liverpool supporter Sheldon Xavier can’t wait for Liverpool to arrive in his home city of Kuala Lumpur as he explains to www.lfctour.com

Multi-racial Malaysia, with an estimated population of 27.5 million and with a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometers, is a footballing mad nation. And make no mistake to this fact, for its fair to say now that three quarters of that population makes up the 12th man syndrome for a very famous team with fans tuning in on the telly and rallying up the battle cry in any game that the Real Red plays in. And that team would be the mighty Liverpool Football Club!

The passionate and knowledgeable Liverpool fans in Malaysia, who come in every age, size, gender and race, have been in a dizzy-frenzy, pinching themselves with delight at the thought of watching the Real Reds live and in the flesh on home soil for the very first time. This, after the announcement of the Asia tour, sponsored by that big, strong and friendly banker in Standard Chartered. All thanks to them indeed!

And the buzz is hyped up by the fans at every minute as the day comes closer for them to watch their beloved Real Reds play against the Malaysian National team. Messages and banter are active and have been flooding the message forums on the social media websites, exciting conversations are often made by people who play the game at the football pitches and for some strange reason, I have even overheard one particular old lovely couple at the park asking her son the other day (much to the boy’s bemusement and to my amusement) if a certain Terry McDermott was still playing with the tight shorts and the afro!

Liverpool FC will be very well received in Malaysia. And much to the envy of our saucy rival Manchester United supporters who could hardly string more than 2 songs together in an entire match nor fill up the stadium after their lot came over twice before! The Bukit Jalil Stadium will this time be buzzing and filled up in anticipation the very moment when the turnstile gates are opened.  No disrespect to Thailand and Singapore who have hosted the occasion splendidly well before, Malaysia will take it a notch further to have their own fans paint the entire stadium and the team hotel with the signature colors of red! And in a carnival like atmosphere in true Liverpool tradition, the fans will churn up the chants and songs that would even make the ardent followers from the Kop End proud!

I will therefore urge the Liverpool team to soak up the atmosphere and the warm hospitality that will befittingly greet every staffing member of this famous team from the very moment when they step off the plane at the KLIA.

 They will be treated with God-like status and will see for themselves fans arriving in the thousands right from the young to the very old with a fair bit of them behaving like kids in a candy store, hysterical women holding up the placards with the messages of love and marriage proposals, nannies on their knees and many more just being in awe when seeing this famous team in the flesh.

And these ardent fans will welcome the team with songs and with chants with, inevitably, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ being the ever favorite signature tune that will be heard over and again during the course of the tour.

On behalf of every Liverpool and football fan here in Malaysia, we now can’t wait to welcome you on Malaysian soil with our traditional warmest greeting of “Selamat Datang” (translated as Warm Welcome)! And may you leave our shores with pleasant memories from your stay here.

You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Sheldon Xavier lives in Kuala Lumpur and has been a Liverpool supporter for 34 years.  Sheldon has watched his beloved Reds play many times in the UK, Japan and Thailand. His all-time favourite players are Steve Heighway and Kenny Dalglish.

16.06.11

Jamie Carragher has travelled the world for club and country – but is eagerly looking forward to his first ever visit to mainland China this summer.

The Liverpool defender will be part of the Reds’ squad heading to Asia for a pre-season tour in July, which kicks off with a game in China on July 13.

“I have never been to China before and I don’t think many of the players have either,” he said.

“We are all really looking forward to it. I am sure it will be a great tour because we have a lot of fans over there and it will be great for us to see them and for them to see us play and train.”

Carragher was quizzed by a selection of Chinese media representatives during a press conference at Melwood in April, in which he was asked his views on a wide-range of topics from Kenny Dalglish’s return as manager to his thoughts on the Reds’ youth policy.

“We’ve had a great run with the manager,” he said. “It started with the new players coming in January and hopefully we can take it into next season.

“The manager has brought a lot of positivity to the club. The fans love him which is a good start and makes a big difference. He’s very experienced as a manager as well and he’s had a lot of success so is obviously very good at his job.”

The assembled Chinese media were also keen to learn whether Carra thinks the future of the club is in good hands – and whether he himself may continue at Anfield once his playing days come to an end.

“I want to carry on playing and then we’ll see what happens in the future,” he added. “That is up to the club but you always want to help Liverpool Football Club.

“The future is bright, though. Last season Flanagan and Robinson have come through and Jay Spearing has done really well. At the Academy we’ve got Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady and Raheem Sterling as well.”

Liverpool will play Guangdong Sunray Cave in the Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou on July 13. To purchase tickets, please click here>> 

10.06.11

Liverpool Football Club has released the following ticketing information for fans wishing to attend matches at the forthcoming Standard Chartered-sponsored trip to Asia.

The Reds will take on Guangdong Sunray Cave in China on July 13 before tackling a Malaysia XI in Malaysia on July 16.

Guangdong Sunray Cave v Liverpool, Guangzhou, July 13

Fans wishing to purchase tickets for the match with Guangdong Sunray Cave can do so via the following methods:

Online

Guangzhou Post – www.11185gz.com.cn

Ticket China -http://www.t3.com.cn/project/187015.html

Telephone

For fans dialling from outside mainland China: 020-83557308 (international dialling code +86)

For fans dialling from mainland China: 11185 (Guangdong)

For all other queries, please contact Ryan Leung at the official tour promoter ProEvents via ryan@proevents.com or by telephoning +852 2314 2114.

Malaysia XI v Liverpool, Kuala Lumpur, July 16

Fans wishing to purchase tickets for match with the Malaysia XI can visit TicketPro, the official ticketing agent.

Details about ticket outlets, prices and delivery details can be found by clicking here>>

Fans outside of Malaysia can purchase tickets via credit card. Once bought online, there are three options:

1. Tickets can be collected in person from the stadium via the green gate 1-4 days before the match.

2. Tickets can be delivered via registered post. A price list for delivery can be found on the booking website.

3. An e-ticket can be downloaded and then printed off at home.

10.06.11

For one Chinese Liverpool supporter, the sight of the Reds in his country will bring back extra special memories.

It was four years ago when Xue Hui – now assistant manager with Shanghai Shenhua – took to the field against Liverpool during a pre-season match in Rotterdam.

He may have started the game on the substitute’s bench, but he finished it with a story he’ll be telling his grandchildren in years to come.

“I went on at the same time as Steven Gerrard,” he recalls, with a beaming smile on his face. “I was warming up alongside him on the touchline and then went onto the field at the same time.

“The first thing he did was score a goal and it was a tremendous feeling to be on the pitch alongside him and so many other great players. I’ve still got the boots and the pictures from that game.

“It was a great day for me, the highlight of my playing career. When I was younger I had pictures of Dalglish and Rush on my bedroom wall. At that time Liverpool were winning almost everything and were huge.

“I have been a Liverpool fan since I was ten years old. They have had a big influence on my life.”

Liverpool will make their first ever trip to China this summer as part of their preparations for the 2011-12 season.

In the build-up to Liverpool’s eagerly anticipated visit, a group of Chinese media were invited for a tour of Anfield and Melwood – and for a chance to quiz Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher at a specially convened press conference at the Reds’ training complex.

“It was a magnificent day,” recalls Xue Hui “Steven and Jamie were both very kind, very polite and answered all of our questions.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming Liverpool to China. Liverpool will find that the Chinese players are skilful but not too physical. They may be surprised.”Liverpool will play Guangdong Sunray Cave in the Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou on July 13. To purchase tickets, please click here>>

09.06.11

Liverpool FC is delighted to announce the Club will be kicking off their tour of Asia – sponsored by Standard Chartered – with a game in China against Guangdong Sunray Cave on Wednesday July 13th.

The Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou will host the match with kick off at 8pm local time. It is The Reds‟ first ever game in mainland China. The other match in the tour will be played in Malaysia.

LFC Managing Director Ian Ayre said: “We are very grateful and honoured that the government, local authorities and the football association of China have allowed Liverpool FC to come to China to play in Guangzhou.

“Our football club and the City of Liverpool have great links with China. The City of Liverpool has the oldest Chinese community in Europe. As a global football club, it is important to us that we give our fans in China the chance to see the team in action.

“At Liverpool FC we take these games very seriously. This game will be our first as we kick off our preparations for the 2011/12 campaign.

“We will work closely with our main sponsor Standard Chartered to ensure we can deliver our best ever pre-season tour. It‟s a very exciting time to watch Liverpool Football Club.” adidas and Carlsberg are official partners of the tour. For the Malaysia leg of the trip, Courts are also official partners.

The Reds enjoy fantastic support in Asia and this summer’s visit follows the hugely successful 10-day pre-season tour of Thailand and Singapore two years ago. Following the game in Guangzhou, Liverpool FC will travel to Malaysia and play a Malaysian XI in the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday July 16th. Manager Kenny Dalglish said: “I‟m looking forward to taking the team to Asia. It is great that we can give our supporters in China and Malaysia the chance to watch the team play. Our last tour of Asia in 2009 was a great success and we’re delighted to be returning this summer.”

Lim Cheng Teck, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Standard Chartered China, said, “Liverpool FC has up to 60 million fans in China alone and we are delighted to be the sponsor for the Club‟s maiden visit to China. This is a great opportunity for our employees, clients, and community to interact with the players. We wish Liverpool FC a warm welcome to Guangzhou and look forward to a successful pre-season tour.”

“We are proud to be appointed as the sole and exclusive tour promoter for the Liverpool FC Asia Tour 2011. This is our first cooperation with Liverpool FC in our 19 years of Asia Tour business and we are pleased to assist them for their Asia pre-season tours.” said Paul J. Kam, Chairman of ProEvents Group. “Liverpool FC has already a tremendous fan base in Asia. With this tour; we will be bringing them to places where they have never been before with an aim to meet more new friends and supporters.”

The confirmed Asia Tour fixtures are as follows:

Wednesday July 13th – Guangdong Sunray Cave v Liverpool FC in the Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou. 8pm kick off local time.

Saturday July 16th – Malaysian XI v Liverpool FC in the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. 5:45pm kick off local time.

For general open ticket sales and all the latest official news and information about the tour, stay tuned to this website and www.proevents.com.

08.06.11

Liverpool FC is delighted to announce they will be playing a Malaysia XI on Saturday July 16th during the Club’s Asia Tour – sponsored by Standard Chartered.

Organised by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur will host the match with kick off at 5:45pm local time. It is the second game to be played in Asia during July with the other match being staged in China.

LFC Managing Director Ian Ayre said: “At Liverpool FC we take these games very seriously. The game in Malaysia will be an important part of our preparations for the 2011/12 campaign and it’s a chance for all our fans in Malaysia to get up close to their heroes.

“We will work closely with our main sponsor Standard Chartered and our other tour partners, adidas and Carlsberg, to ensure we can deliver our best ever pre-season tour.”

For the Malaysia leg of the trip, Courts are also official partners.

The Reds enjoy fantastic support in Asia and this summer’s visit follows the hugely successful 10-day pre-season tour of Thailand and Singapore two years ago.

The Asia Tour begins with a game against Guangdong Sunray Cave in Guangzhou, China on Wednesday July 13th.

“The match will be a piece of football history as this is the first time Liverpool FC will be stepping on Malaysian soil and it has created a lot of excitement. The Reds have a massive base of football fans in Malaysia,” said Julian Kam, CEO of ProEvents who is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Malaysia this year. “We have scheduled the game on a Saturday with kick off at 5:45pm so everyone can come and watch.”

LFC Manager Kenny Dalglish said: “I’m looking forward to taking the team to Asia. It is great that we can give our supporters in Malaysia and China the chance to watch the team play. Our last tour of Asia in 2009 was a great success and we’re delighted to be returning this summer.”

Osman Morad, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, added “Liverpool FC has a huge fan base in Malaysia; all very loyal supporters impatiently counting the days to see The Reds in action on our own shores. Standard Chartered is therefore delighted to sponsor this tour. We like to give back to the communities we operate in, and bringing Liverpool FC to Malaysia is in that spirit. Together with our employees, clients and Malaysian fans, we look forward to welcoming LFC with true Malaysian hospitality.”

The confirmed Asia Tour fixtures are as follows:

Wednesday July 13th – Guangdong Sunray Cave v Liverpool FC in the Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou. 8pm kick off local time.

Saturday July 16th – Malaysia XI v Liverpool FC in the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. 5:45pm kick off local time.

Tickets are priced at RM388, RM108, RM68 and RM58 and are available online at www.ticketpro.com.my. Standard Chartered Bank (Malaysia) is offering an exclusive priority ticketing sales until June 9th 2011. Standard Chartered Bank credit/debit cardholders can have the privilege of purchasing tickets in advance from the general ticket sales by using their cards (no cash sales). Tickets are available from Ticketpro Hotline 03-78807999, Ticketpro outlets and an additional outlet at The Pavilion. Each ticket will come with a complimentary training pass (subject to availability).

The open public sales will begin from Friday, June 10 at all Ticketpro outlets, Ticketpro hotline or online at www.ticketpro.com.my.

For general open ticket sales and all the latest official news and information about the tour, stay tuned to www.lfctour.com or www.proevents.com.

21.03.11

Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman led a Standard Chartered coaching event in Malaysia last week.

Our main club sponsor organised the sessions to coincide with its sponsorship of the EPL Masters Football Cup Malaysia 2011.

About 50 children aged between seven and 16 were invited to attend the football clinic at Padang@One, Utama to learn the basics of the game.

Fowler said: “The children have been really enthusiastic and very receptive. They are really good, and I was really impressed by their technical skills.”

The young footballers were the children of Standard Chartered staff and clients.

Norliza Kamaruddin from Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia added: “This is a great opportunity to bring the spirit of Liverpool FC and our sponsorship of the club to a group of kids. It’s at the very core of the way we do business to give something back to the community.”.

02.03.11

Former Liverpool star Dominic Matteo recently took time out to visit the visually impaired children at S.M Pendidikan Khas Cacat Penglihatan in Malaysia.

Joined by ex-Manchester United winger Jesper Blomqvist and staff from Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, Matteo’s visit was part of the bank’s community activity to promote its ‘Seeing is Believing’ project, aimed at combating preventable blindness.

The duo spent time playing a game of ‘goal ball’ with the children, a game specially designed for the visually impaired in which the sighted can also participate with the use of blindfolds.

Many of the kids at S.M Pendidikan Khas Cacat Penglihatan are ardent football fans and the once-in-a lifetime opportunity left them delighted as they went up against Matteo and Blomqvist in the friendly match.

Arif Siddiqui, Chief Information Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, said: “Disability should never be the reason a person is unable to reach his or her full potential.

“It is our duty to empower and enable them to become the best that they can be by equipping them with the tools they need in order to become well-informed and well-rounded individuals, with access to the same opportunities as everybody else.”

 

Source : Liverpool FC

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