European Champions touch down in Japan

By Mighty Reds
December 12 2005

Fifteen hours after setting off from John Lennon Airport, with a change at Heathrow, the Liverpool team finally touch down in Japan.

Liverpool are in an upbeat mood after their 7th straight league win on Saturday against Middlesbrough had the Sundays talking about them as challengers to Chelsea.

Steven Gerrard though is ready to forget the Premiership for a few days and concentrate on winning the latest trophy available to the European Champions.

He said:

"We are in Japan to win the tournament, it's as simple as that," claimed club captain Steven Gerrard. "We're all a bit tired right now but we are very excited to be here and are looking forward to the games. We are going to get used to the time difference over the next few days and we will be raring to go in the first game. Any trophy that Liverpool enter or are involved in, we want to win it. We're not here for a holiday."


Steven is desperate to do something that no other Liverpool captain has done before him, pick up the The World Club Championship trophy.

"All the players have a great incentive to go and win it and everyone is looking forward to it. We want to add it to the Champions League trophy we won.

"Hopefully it will be a case of third time lucky for us and we can win it. I know we've had a couple of cracks at this before and we haven't been successful but we feel as though we've got the right team and the right attitude to win it. We don't really know too much about the other teams but sometimes that can help you. We won't be going into the games worrying about the opposition and we can relax and do what we do normally.

"I am always hungry to win more trophies with Liverpool and so is the manager and all the other players. Being a footballer, the idea is to win as many trophies and as many medals as possible and this is another opportunity to win another cup and get another winners medal. We are already the Champions of Europe and we want to do Europe really proud and go and win it."

Asked during a press conference at the team hotel what impact the 12,000 mile trip would have on Liverpool's domestic campaign, Gerrard was keen to stress that when you're winning matches, no one complains about tiredness.

"There is a slight concern as we have played a lot of games but it helps if you are winning games an enjoying your football. We are playing well, keeping clean sheets and performing well at home and in Europe and as long as that continues, you won't find anyone in this team moaningabout too many matches.

"The team has got a lot of strengths and we are doing very well at the moment. We are creating lots of chances, the goals are going in, we are mean in defence and we have some exciting players going forward. There is still a lot of room for improvement but I think the next few years will be really exciting for us."