Liverpool's return to HK 'to get close to fans'
Liverpool's return to HK 'to get close to fans'
Liverpool ambassador Sami Hyypiä says it's important for the club to come to Hong Kong to get close to fans. File photo: AFP
Liverpool legend Sami Hyypiä says the Premier League giant's upcoming match in Hong Kong is a chance for the club to strengthen connections with its many passionate fans in the city.
The friendly against Serie A's AC Milan at Kai Tak Stadium on July 26 will be the English club's fourth visit to Hong Kong, following their last appearance in 2017 for the Premier League Asia Trophy.
Hyypiä, who is the club's ambassador, told RTHK on Wednesday that he is truly touched by Hong Kong's passion for football, adding that he wants to express his heartfelt thanks to Liverpool fans for their support.
"For the club, it's very important that we have these tours around the world... many fans come from far away, or they live far away from Liverpool," he told RTHK.
"In Asia, you have to wake up at night to see games. And many people are waking up. So to bring the club a little bit closer to these fans is very important. And that's why it's very important that we come to Asia to play and to be closer to our fans."
The Finn also dismissed suggestions that the only reason the Reds were recently crowned Premier League champions was luck.
"I heard something that this season Liverpool was lucky, that other teams are not performing as they should perform, but I don't think that," the former centre-back said.
"I think Liverpool were just the most consistent team during the season and we deserved to win the league. It's great for Arne Slot to win the league in his first year and not many managers have done it."
AC Milan, meanwhile, will be returning to Hong Kong for the first time in 19 years, following a 2004 charity match against local side Kitchee.
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