While Liverpool may have won the hearts of many of their supporters here, a couple of fans caused controversy during the Reds' friendly against Thailand on Sunday night at Rajamangala Stadium.
Fans carry an anti-Manchester United banner at Rajamangala National Stadium.
Fans carry an anti-Manchester United banner at Rajamangala National Stadium. The English club ended their Asia tour with a 3-0 win against Thailand, meaning they not only won all their three games but also kept three clean sheets, having secured 2-0 victories against an Indonesia XI and Melbourne Victory.
During the match in Bangkok, a few fans carried a banner ridiculing Manchester United at the stadium, which was seen during the live telecast. The sign read: "Alex Ferguson. Out working. Go to the hell. 20 = kong [cheat]. Munich 58."
Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of last season after guiding United to their 20th English league title and 'Munich 58' was apparently a reference to the 1958 air accident in Munich, in which several United players were killed. It was heavily criticised on popular Thai websites and former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore called the fans "idiots".
"As for disrespectful banners, idiots whoever they support. Glorifying death is never clever, just plain stupid," he tweeted. "Munich, Hillsborough, Shankly etc. If you make banners or sing songs about them, you're a wanker. End."
Journalists Sorayuth Suthatsanachinda and Adisorn Puengya, two of the most well-known Liverpool fans in Thailand, offered apologies.
Sorayuth said on his Facebook page that he felt sorry that a small group of Liverpool fans showed disrespect to Ferguson and the Munich tragedy. "No matter which team you support, you should not do this," he said. "I believe that many Liverpool fans here are sorry for the incident."
Adisorn echoed that sentiment on a Facebook page for Thai Liverpool fans. "I do not agree with them and I feel very sorry," he said. "On behalf of the Kops in Thailand, we are truly sorry for the shameful banner. It is a disgrace. "We, Liverpool fans in Thailand, want to convey our sincere apologies to Manchester United FC and their fans."
Meanwhile, Spanish international goalkeeper Pepe Reina has left Liverpool for a season-long loan at Serie A club Napoli but, in an open letter to fans of the five-time European champions, insisted it had not been his decision.
Reina, 30, who joined Liverpool in 2005, said he wanted to extend his contract at Anfield and was not consulted before the loan move was agreed. "Although it was not my decision to leave I will accept it. If I have one regret, it is the way that I am leaving," wrote Reina, who made nearly 400 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions and has played 28 times for Spain.
"It is only natural that I would be disappointed that the Liverpool management agreed to loan me to Napoli without telling me first. "I thought that I deserved better than that."