Reds ready for world title bid

Liverpool arrived in Japan this morning bleary-eyed and jet-lagged but determined to make an impression at the Club World Championship.

The champions of Europe have flown 6,000 miles for a tournament that will see them take in two games within the space of four days – with the Reds vowing to be competitive despite the tired limbs.

“We are in Japan to win the tournament, it’s as simple as that,” said captain Steven Gerrard, who appeared exhausted after the 15-hour trip.

“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.”

And nor, according to chief executive Rick Parry, are they here on a money-making mission.

Parry has been courting potential investors in the club in recent months but insists the Reds’ priority is winning the Toyota Cup.

He said: “This is a competitive trip, not a commercial trip – we are here to win trophies. But we are conscious of the fact that we have a huge fan base in Asia.

“We toured here in 2001 and 2003 and the players were impressed with the warmth of the welcome and depth of our support.

“We are strengthening links with our supporters but this is not a marketing trip to generate commercial revenues.”

Liverpool get the chance to prove how seriously they are taking the competition when they face the winners of today’s match between Deportivo Saprissa and FC Sydney in the second semi-final in Yokohama on Thursday.

The other semi-final will be between Sao Paulo and Al Ittihad, who beat Al Ahly 1-0 in the opening match on Sunday.