Ayre's message to Aus - we'll be back
After witnessing at first hand the phenomenal level of support for Liverpool FC in Australia, managing director Ian Ayre has pledged that it will not take 120 years for the Reds to make a second visit Down Under.
The Liverpool squad departed Melbourne to travel to Thailand earlier on Thursday following four days in Australia - including the first-ever official match played there by a Reds team in more than 120 years of history.
Asked if the club are likely to return in the near future, Ayre was unequivocal in his response. "Yes, absolutely," he said.
"We've said in various different events this week that it's taken us 120 years or so to get here, but it certainly won't take us that long to come back.
"This has proved just how big Liverpool are in this part of the world and the fans here deserve a reasonably regular visit. It's just about fitting it in with all of those other places people want us to go.
"I have to say having been on five or six of these pre-season tours over the last few years, this one has certainly been one of the most memorable - and the visit to Australia unbelievable.
"We had one of the best welcomes we've ever had anywhere in the world and I think that's testament to so many people who've done so much hard work around the tour for us - the government, the city, the state, Melbourne Victory, the venue operator.
"Everybody has been so welcoming. In terms of fans, last night was right up there in terms of memories as a Liverpool fan.
"Federation Square, which was across the road from the hotel, was very reminiscent of Taksim Square in Istanbul, there were literally tens of thousands of Liverpool fans who made a big march to the stadium and we had 'You'll Never Walk Alone' sung by over 95,000 people. There are so many different memories and I hope similar memories for fans who were there."
Liverpool landed on Thai soil today for the third leg of their summer tour, following the stays in Indonesia and Australia - journeys which Ayre believes exceeded expectations.
He continued: "The whole thing - our fantastic reception and the support of the fans in Indonesia, and the same here.
"Also, great thanks go to our team and staff - everybody has put so much into the visit. The players have spent a lot of time in the local community with fans and we just continue to get plaudits from all corners.
"That's testament to the unity and teamwork we have as a group here. It's paid off, made everybody happy and I think there were a lot of sad faces in Melbourne today when we left."
The Reds have made the visit to Thailand on several occasions in recent years, and Ayre expects the local supporters to match the atmosphere generated at their previous two destinations.
"It will be difficult to top what we've had in Australia. I think we thought that after Indonesia, but obviously it was as equally as welcoming in Australia," he concluded.
"We know Thailand is a hotbed of Liverpool support. I was there when we went in 2009 and the scenes there were unbelievable, so we expect some of the same.
"The Thai fans know how to have a good time and make us feel welcome, so we'll see similar scenes to Indonesia and I know everyone is looking forward to that final leg of the tour."