DURING the short plane ride to Hong Kong, I felt that familiar surge of excitement. Even after all these years, nothing beats the thrill of traveling more so than watching and covering a football match. To be more precise, a match by my boyhood and still my favorite club…Liverpool Football Club (LFC).
Yes, I am in Hong Kong for five days to cover a preseason friendly match between Liverpool and fellow Premier League rival, Crystal Palace. Now, the two sides have an ongoing rivalry in the Premier League. Crystal Palace has kind of “owned” LFC in the past couple of seasons. Preseason or not, Liverpool would want to end that streak if only to get an edge in before the proper season kicks off.
As a kid, I never thought I’d see the Reds (as Liverpool’s players are nicknamed for the color of their kits) play. Never even listed that on my bucket list until sometime early in the new millennium when I got to see Liverpool play in Giants Stadium, New Jersey. Since then, I’ve seen them across three continents and seven countries. Eight if you add Hong Kong in two days’ time. And, if things work out just fine, I’ll be back in Liverpool later this year.
What makes it even better is the match will be held in Hong Kong, where I lived and worked before. It is where my parents first took us as youngsters back in the 80s. And later still, it is the first country I took my kids to when they were old enough to understand traveling (as opposed to simply buying toys at Toys ‘R Us and then wanting to go back to the hotel).
Further to that, in all nine matches I have seen my Reds play, they have yet to lose. Okay, knock on wood.
I’m still buzzing over my two Anfield matches that although both ended in draws—1-1 against Everton, and 3-3 against Arsenal two seasons ago with the Reds drawing level in the final minute of stoppage time with the snow falling! It was a huge point, and a huge goal. Plus, it was so surreal.
To be in the tribune box and the hospitality section in Anfield, to be in a presser with Rafa Benitez, Brendan Rogers and Jurgen Klopp is a treat for a fan like me. Getting to meet Anfield legends Ian Rush, Didi Hamman, Luis Garcia and Jamie Carragher to name a few is a pinch-me-to-see-if-I-am-dreaming moment. Even getting an opportunity to have an article on that massive and respected LFC fan site, This is Anfield, is a feather in my cap. At least, that is how I feel.
Clearly, writing about these matches means objectivity is out of the window because I gush. Well, I always—to say the least—try to be.
Today, I get to join a select group of Asian sports journalists who will get to sit down with Klopp. The German is one of the best managers in world football, having turned aorund the programs of Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and now, Liverpool. He won trophies with the two previous clubs and has contended and played in the finals of several tourneys with Liverpool (although they have yet to win one). The man is known for his pressing game, his outstanding relationship with club supporters and being a master motivator and tactician. He’s also got quite a sense of humor.
Yet, of some concern that he is known to also get testy with mediamen who ask provocative questions. And that is why the club took in all our questions ahead of time—to sort them out. Me? All I want to ask is how he has chanaged tactics—if he has changed them—since coming over to the Merseyside and how the Merseyside has changed him as a coach. Of course, there’s more, such as if he has cured the club’s penchant for playing down to their competition. But that could be asking too much. Maybe. Who knows? I’m just excited. In fact, I couldn’t sleep a wink the night before my flight.
The forecast might be for rain here in Hong Kong but, somehow, I don’t think it’s going to rain on my parade.
I’ll just enjoy this.