Liverpool FC legend Ian Rush backs decision to embark on Far East tour

25 November 2010 07:30
ANFIELD legend Ian Rush has welcomed news that Liverpool will embark on a pre-season tour of Asia next summer.[LNB]The Reds enjoyed a hugely successful 10-day trip to Thailand and Singapore in 2009 and they will return to the continent next July.[LNB]Details of the schedule and the countries they will visit are yet to be finalised but Rush, who works for the club as a globe trotting ambassador, knows they are guaranteed a warm welcome wherever they go.[LNB]'I've done a lot of travelling across Asia in the past decade and until you've been there you can't even begin to appreciate how big Liverpool Football Club is there,' he said.[LNB] 'The people are fanatical about the club and that amazing support hasn't dipped despite the lack of success in recent years. They love the history and the tradition of Liverpool Football Club. They love the Kop and You'll Never Walk Alone.[LNB]'They might live a long way away but they feel a close affinity with the club and this tour will give them the chance to see their heroes in action.[LNB]'Most of them will never get the opportunity to come over here so it's only right to go there and give them the chance to watch us play.'[LNB]In July last year Liverpool's first stop was Bangkok where they drew 1-1 with Thailand before moving on to Singapore where they hammered the national side 5-0.[LNB]Both games attracted crowds of 50,000 and fans were camped outside the team hotel 24 hours a day.[LNB]There were fears about the impact of the intense heat and the travelling demands but Rush insists the 14,000 mile round trip won't hamper the Reds' preparations for the new season.[LNB]'I don't think there will be any problems at all,' Rush added. 'The world is a very small place these days and it's completely different to years ago.[LNB]'You can do that journey in comfort and get plenty of rest on the flight.[LNB]'That time away will give the manager the chance to get some good work done with the players and I'm sure Liverpool will be back in good time before the start of the league season.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo