'Reds Swans' not swayed by 'swine'

Rafael Benitez's side are scheduled to play an exhibition match against the Thai national team on July 22 at Rajamangala National stadium before completing their Far East trip with another game on July 26 in Singapore.

"Flu is around the world. I think Thailand is very intelligent by taking all the measures they have particularly at th airport if there is any case," said McMahon, who works for the event's organisers, Singapore-based Profitable Group.

Liverpool has no concerns, the team has no concerns and personally he did not have concerns, McMahon said in an exclusive interview.

McMahon has confirmed that local fans will get a chance to see the Reds' first-team squad, including star striker Fernando Torres, when the English Premier League club visits the Kingdom.

Amid high expectations there had been doubts over whether the club's big names would make the trip, considering the fact that Torres and Xabi Alonso are currently on national duty with Spain at the Confederation Cup in South Africa.

McMahon assured fans that barring injuries, their favourite players would be in action in the Kingdom.

"The contract we signed with Liverpool stated clearly that they would bring the first-team squad here. Any member of first-team squad who is available should be here.

"Also, any new signings, such as [Portsmouth defender Glen] Johnson or [Valencia striker David] Villa, are contracted to come as well.

"They treat these games very seriously since it's only three weeks before the season starts officially. Their preparation is very important," McMahon told Daily Xpress in an exclusive interview.

Assuring fans that they would have opportunities to get close to Liverpool stars during their brief visit, McMahon sounded a note |of caution.

"We're aware that there is huge demand here to watch Liverpool - and not just in the game. We'll arrange open training sessions so that the public and supporters can see the team in action. We have to be careful, though. We don't want to have thousands of people descending on the ground. The announcement about Liverpool's schedule will be made in due course.

"For now, I can say that the team will have training twice a day. The players aren't coming here for a holiday. They will be here to work, train and then play the match, not to party," said McMahon.

The ex-Liverpool midfielder urged fans who still haven't got tickets to rush to one of the Adidas booths in big department stores in the capital, Pattaya and Phuket. Those who didn't hurry, he said, would miss out on a "once-in-a-lifetime experience".