LIVERPOOL FANS ARRIVE AT NATIONAL STADIUM SINCE 10AM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) - Thousands of Liverpool fans started
arriving at National Stadium as early as 10am to see the team play Malaysia
Saturday afternoon.

A carnival atmosphere filled the stadium in Bukit Jalil with Liverpoool fans
decked in red while others are proud in Malaysia's yellow and black stripes of
"Harimau Malaya.' (Malaya Tigers)

Fans can still buy tickets at three counters at Putra Stadium and many were
seen buying them fearing there would be no live telecast of the match.

Although Liverpool is without skipper Steven Gerrard, striker Luis Suarez,
goalkeeper Jose Manuel Reina and team manager Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool fans are
hoping for an interesting match.

Liverpool finished a disappointing sixth in the English Premier League
behind Tottenham Hotspur in the season that ended.

Liverpool's visit to Malaysia, the first ever, is part of the club's
pre-season Asian Tour.

Noor Ashreen Ismail,27, is disappointed that her favourite players Gerrard
and Suarez are missing from the line-up.

"Although I am disappointed they are not here, I still come because I
supported the club since primary school," said Noor Ashreen who came from Kepong
with brother Muhammad Afiq Ismail, 23.

Ahmad Aidil Syukri Hamzah, 24, said he did not want to miss the chance to
catch his favourite club in action and bought his ticket two weeks ago.

"Although I am mad about Liverpool, I am patriotic at heart and hope that
Malaysia can score at least one goal," he added.

The match starting at 5.45pm Saturday is covered by the media in United
Kingdom, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and Philippines.