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A wide spectrum of fans, ranging from school kids to news anchors to movie stars, saw Alonso, Albert Riera, Jay Spearing and David N'Gog in the flesh, but only a selected few had the chance to rub shoulders with the football stars. The whole arena resona-ted with the club theme song "You'll Never Walk Alone".

Some 30 well-to-do fans, who purchased adidas goods worth Bt15,000, had the exclusive privilege of rubbing shoulders with the four players. The players were busy signing autographs and sharing pictures with the fans, who were delighted with the valuable memorabilia.

Alonso, the heart-throb of the fans, stole the show. They chanted his name and begged him to continue playing for Liverpool and not join moneybags Real Madrid. Time and again they kept saying, "Alonso, please don't go."

Some even made jokes, "Xabi, you're not for sale."

Cool and calm, the Spaniard simply smiled back. Later, he mentioned the atmosphere at Anfield and how emotional it was for him to play there. Riera was asked about the team's chances of winning the elusive Premier League title in the coming season. He said: "I cannot guarantee that. We'd had a tough season. We came so close last season and we will be there to win the title."

Apart from the meet and greet session, the team was also involved in a charity activity. They gave two Liverpool jerseys signed by players to Hope, a non-profit organisation. The items are to be auctioned and the proceeds will go to underprivileged children at Baan Nonthapoom (Home for the Handicapped) and Baan Kredtrakarn (Home for Child Prostitution Victims).

Liverpool insist they are not just in Asia to cash in on the lucrative commercial opportunities the region offers, but to give their fanatical fans a chance to see them in the flesh.

Liverpool commercial director Ian Ayre says his team wants to leave behind a legacy.

"We have a duty to contribute to these football markets and to our supporters over here," he says on the club website.