Fanatical Liverpool fans greet heroes in Hong Kong

Jul 24 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

HUNDREDS of Chinese fans greeted Liverpool FC players as they arrived in Hong Kong for today’s Barclays Asia Trophy match against South China.

More than 800 supporters were waiting at Hong Kong International airport to see the players disembark from their BA flight, which touched down at around 1.30pm local time on Sunday.

In scenes reminiscent of Beatlemania, the players were met with hysteria as they made their way through security and posed for photos.

Die-hard fans had waited up to five hours to glimpse their heroes, many waving football shirts, banners and flags.

Banners in honour of Momo Sissoko and record signing Fernando Torres were prominent while the highest-pitched screams were reserved for captain Steven Gerrard, defender Jamie Carragher and manager Rafa Benitez.

A coach whisked the team off to the city’s Grand Hyatt Hotel, their base for six days.

Further crowds of fans gathered outside the hotel, hoping to get autographs. Some of them, including 16-year-old Kris Lau, carried Anfield Road signs.

Following a press conference at the hotel, the team trained in the sweltering heat at the Mongkok Stadium, before attending a lavish evening reception to launch the competition.

Steven Gerrard took the opportunity to pay tribute to the club’s fanatical fanbase in the Far East.

He said: “It’s a proud feeling to come here as Liverpool captain and play in front of all our Asian fans. It’s a difficult trip to make but Liverpool are massive over here and it’s important for us to give something back.”

Appearing alongside Gerrard at the press conference were Spanish striker Fernando Torres and Rafa Benitez.

The mini-tournament underlines the insatiable appetite for Premier League football in Asia.

Liverpool’s chief executive Rick Parry says developing a worldwide fanbase is important.

He said: “This is our third trip to Asia and we’ve seen on the previous two visits just how fanatical our fans out here are.

“The turnout is always breathtaking and I’m sure it will be the same again. They are so knowledgeable about the club and have an insatiable appetite for all things Liverpool.

“This will be the first opportunity for them to see our new signings in action and you can sense already that excitement is really high. Everyone is looking forward to it – us and them.”

He added: “We’ve been fortunate enough to be able to draw on huge support from all around the world for many years now and it’s vital we build on this.”

Speaking from Hong Kong last night, Liverpool FC spokesman Ian Cotton said the atmosphere was fantastic.

He said: “The fans are out in force and they gave the players a fantastic reception. It’s a reminder of just how popular LFC are out here.”

Dave Oh of the Hong Kong Liverpool Supporters’ Club said: “Our team will win the tournament, no doubt about it.”

Mr Oh, a Liverpool fan since childhood, added: “I lived in London and I tried my best to watch them play as often as possible.”

Every week, members of the fan club gather at a restaurant in Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, to watch live coverage of the English Premier League.

Mr Oh said: “We support the team with all of our hearts. We have the right players in the right places and we have Rafael Benitez as coach.”

Premier League teams Portsmouth and Fulham are also taking part in the 2007 Barclays Asia Trophy, which begins today at the 40,000 capacity Hong Kong Stadium with the Portsmouth-Fulham clash, followed at 8.30pm local time (1.30pm GMT) with Liverpool’s match.

On Friday, favourites Liverpool will go on to play either Portsmouth or Fulham.

Liverpool last took the 6,000-mile trip in 2003 when they played a sell-out game against the Hong Kong Select XI on July 27. The team, which then included Michael Owen and Emile Heskey, beat the home side 6-0.

See pictures from the tour in our special gallery - click here

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