LFC Global Family: China

The growth in popularity has been driven by a new six-year TV deal which has made English football more accessible than ever before to millions of Chinese fans.

Just last month, China officially overtook Indonesia as the country with more Liverpool fans on social media than anywhere else in the world.

One of those fans is Chen Jing, a 22-year-old female fan from Shanghai - and she's the subject of this week's LFC Global Family feature...

Name: Chen Jing
Age: 22
City/country: Shanghai, China
Job: Student

Why did you pick Liverpool as your team?

Destiny willed it, I think - 10 years ago, I secretly fell in love with a boy. I was only 12 years old at that time and didn't have the courage to tell him. Thus the only thing I could do was to try learning about everything he liked, and yes, that included Liverpool. It seems such a stupid reason for picking Liverpool as my favourite football team, but I really want to thank that boy for letting me know about Liverpool. Though my unrequited love lasted only two months, my love of the Reds maintained from then on.

What's your earliest Liverpool memory?

My earliest Liverpool memory was in 2003 when I received my first computer as a present from my dad and I watched a lot of their games. I didn't even know the rules of soccer at that time, but the colour of Liverpool's kit really impressed me. It was a passionate red, that showed huge energy and courage.

How did people in your country follow Liverpool's fortunes at first?

I'm very lucky to live in a new century so that I can easily get a lot of information about the Reds from the internet and TV. But at first, the easiest way to follow Liverpool's fortunes was to listen to the radio, because there was no live broadcast on TV at that time.

Was it difficult to find out news or see the match?

Yes, it was difficult. Without the Internet, it was very difficult for us to find out news or see matches. Although we had radio, it was so slow that we used to have to wait for two or three days to check the result of some games.

Who was your first Liverpool hero and why?

I love almost every player who plays for Liverpool - both currently or retired - but, in my opinion, the one who deserves the title of 'my hero' is Steven Gerrard. I started to watch games in 2003, the year when Gerrard became the team captain and he showed his leadership. Although he admitted he was not satisfied with the progress Liverpool made in 2003-04, he chose to stay. The captain's armband had given him a sense of responsibility and made him become a man. These are the reasons why I love him and consider him a hero. He was my first Liverpool hero and maybe also the last one.

What is your favourite Liverpool memory?

I think the answer to this question will be the same for over 90 per cent of Kopites. It was the miracle which happened in Istanbul. There are so many words in this world and I just can't find the best one to describe such a night. So many football clubs have won the Champions League over the years, but only Liverpool won by way of a miracle.

Who has been your favourite Liverpool manager and why?

King Kenny Dalglish. We all know that Liverpool had a very poor time at the beginning of 2011. From players to fans, everyone was in such low spirits. It was King Kenny who saved Liverpool. How much courage did a coach have to have in order to take over such a team? No-one dared to try except King Kenny, because he loved the club and this love supported him in making this decision.

What has been your lowest point supporting Liverpool?

The 2008-09 season when we lost out on the title and finished second - the higher the expectation, the bigger the disappointment. I thought this could be a start of something new, but it didn't turn out that way.

Have you ever been to Anfield?

I have been to Anfield hundreds of times in my dreams. I want to make this dream come true in the near future.

Where were you while we were in Istanbul?

I watched the game at home. From 2003 to 2005, I was always very lonely as a Liverpool fan, because I didn't know anyone who loved the Reds like me at that time. No matter whether they won or lost, there was no-one who could share the happiness or sadness with me. Istanbul changed everything. Over 30,000 Kopites in the stadium and Liverpool fans all over the world showed me the real meaning of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and the happiest thing was that Liverpool didn't let us down. When you really want to do something, the whole world will help you. All you need to do is keep your faith. I learned this lesson from Liverpool - from Istanbul.

Does Liverpool have a passionate fan base where you're from?

Yes! 'Deepred' is the biggest Liverpool fans' group in Shanghai and I have joined this group. Although DR is not yet recognised by Liverpool as an official supporters' club, it offers opportunities for members to watch matches together almost once a month and members also play football every weekend. It was established in 2011 and we have already got over 500 members. The numbers are increasing almost every day.

Which team are considered Liverpool's biggest rivals in your country?

In my country, Manchester United are Liverpool's biggest rivals.

Where do you go online to follow news about Liverpool?

I mainly follow news by surfing the club's official website, Facebook and Twitter - but we also have a website called 'Weibo' here in China and an app called 'Wechat'. I follow news about Liverpool from both of those two platforms, because they update a lot of information every day.

Do you also support a local team?

I sometimes watch my local team's games, but the only team I support is Liverpool. I still pay attention to the national soccer team though.

Who is your favourite current player and why?

That's a very difficult question! Besides my hero Gerrard, another favourite is Daniel Agger. He has a strong character and has always been a conscientious player. And, of course, he is handsome!

If you could meet anyone connected to Liverpool - past or present - who would it be and why?

I would like to meet so many people if I had the chance, but if I had to pick one, it would be King Kenny. I want to tell him how much courage he has given me. He makes me challenge myself every day and inspires me to contribute my life to something I really love. That is what he has changed in me, so he is my teacher - not only in the world of football but also in my way of life.

What makes you most proud to be a Liverpool supporter?

It's the supporters that make me proud. Last semester, I left Shanghai and began my studies in Japan alone. It was the first time I had left home for such a long time and I was so scared. However, my worries were unnecessary. I made friends with Japanese Kopites on the Internet and when I arrived in Japan, they helped me a lot. Liverpool brought us together and we became a family. Although I have come back to China, I still keep in touch with them. No matter where I go, there must be someone who has the same faith with me and we share both happiness and tears. Being a Liverpool supporter is not just about being a fan - it is more like joining a big family.

Finally, what does 'the Liverpool way' mean to you?

It has been 10 years since I fell in love with Liverpool. Compared to other Reds supporters, 10 years may be a short time, but for me - a 22-year-old girl from China - it has been long enough to become part of my life. When I hear 'You'll Never Walk Alone', I feel powerful and stronger. I would like to be a person who is always passionate and brave - just like Liverpool.

你为什么支持利物浦？

我想这是命运使然吧。10年以前，我偷偷喜欢上一个男孩。那时候我只有12岁，当时并没有勇气告诉他。所以我唯一能做的就是努力去了解所有他喜欢的事，是的这也包括利物浦。看起来这是一个很愚蠢的理由，但是我真的很想感谢那个男孩让我知道了利物浦。尽管我的单相思只持续了2个月，但是我对利物浦的爱一直延续到现在。

你对利物浦的最早的记忆是什么？

我最早的关于利物浦的记忆是2003年当我收到爸爸送我的电脑的时候，当时我看了很多他们的比赛。那时候我甚至不知道足球的规则，但是利物浦球衣的颜色给我留下了深刻的印象。这是一种充满激情的红色，它显示了巨大的能量和勇气。

你们国家的人们最初是如何关注利物浦的呢？

我很幸运生活在一个新世纪，所以我很容易就可以从互联网和电视上获取关于利物浦的信息。但是最开始的时候，关注利物浦的途径是通过广播，因为那时候还有没有电视直播。

那时候获取新闻以及看比赛是不是比较困难？

是的。没有互联网，我们很难获取新闻和看比赛。尽管我们有电台，但是其更新速度太慢了，以致于我们有时候不得不等2-3天才能知道一些比赛的结果。

谁是你的第一位利物浦偶像，为什么？

我爱几乎每一位为利物浦效力的球员，包括现役的和退役的，但是唯一一位值得"我的偶像"的头衔的球员是杰拉德。我2003年开始看比赛，那一年杰拉德成为了队长并展示了他的领导能力。尽管他承认他当时并不满意球队2003-04赛季的表现，但他还是选择留下。队长袖标给予他一种责任感，使他成长为一个男人。这就是我为什么喜欢他并视他为偶像的原因。他是我第一个也许也是最后一个利物浦偶像。

你最美好的利物浦回忆是什么？

我想这个问题的答案和90%利物浦球迷的答案一样，这就是伊斯坦布尔奇迹之夜。纵然有千言万语我也无法找出最好的词来形容这一个夜晚。过去几年中，这么多足球俱乐部赢得了欧冠，但是只有利物浦的胜利是一个奇迹。

谁是你最喜欢的利物浦主教练，为什么？

国王达格利什。我们都知道在2011年开始的时候，利物浦度过了一段艰难的时期。从球员到球迷，大家的情绪都很低落，是达格利什拯救了利物浦。一个教练需要多大的勇气来接手这样一支球队？除了达格利什没有其他人敢于尝试，因为他热爱这家俱乐部，这种热爱支持他做出这个决定。

支持利物浦时的最低谷时期是什么？

2008-09赛季当我们以联赛第二名的成绩，遗憾的未能夺得联赛冠军的时候。期望越高，失望越大。我想这有可能是一个新的开始，但是事实并不是这样。

你去过安菲尔德吗？

在梦中我去过安菲尔德上百次。我想在不久的未来能够梦想成真。

当我们在伊斯坦布尔的时候你在哪里？

我在家里收看了比赛。从2003年到2005年，作为一名利物浦球迷我总是比较寂寞，因为那时候我不认识其他像我一样喜欢红军的球迷。无论利物浦赢或输，没有人可以和我一起分享快乐或者共度悲伤。伊斯坦布尔改变了这一切。体育场内有超过3万名来自全世界的利物浦球迷，我在此时了解了"你永不独行"的真正含义，最开心的是利物浦并没有让我们失望。当你真心想做某件事的时候，全世界都会为你让路。你所需要的就是保持信仰。我从利物浦、从伊斯坦布尔学到了这个道理。

你的家乡有很多热情洋溢的利物浦球迷吗？

当然！'Deepred'是上海最大的利物浦球迷俱乐部，我也是其中一员。虽然DR还不是官方认证的球迷组织，但它为会员们提供了几乎每月一次的集体观战机会，球迷们也会每周末一起踢球。DR成立于2011年，目前已经有超过500名成员了。会员人数几乎每天都在增长。

你们国家的球迷认为那支球队是利物浦最大的竞争对手？

我们都把曼联当作是最大竞争对手。

你会浏览哪些网页去关注利物浦的新闻动态？

大多数情况我会浏览球队官网、Facebook和Twitter，我们这里也有一个叫"微博"的网站以及一个叫"微信"的手机应用，我也会从这两个平台上获取球队信息，上面每天都会有大量内容更新。

你也会支持本土球队吗？

有时我会看一些本土比赛，但我唯一支持的球队还是利物浦。但我还是会关注国家队的比赛。

你最喜欢的现役球员是谁？为什么？

很难回答！除了我心目中的英雄杰拉德之外，我最喜欢阿格尔。他很有个性，也一直是名尽心尽责的球员。当然，他也很帅！

如果你有机会与一名利物浦人见面，无论离世或在世的，你会希望他是谁？为什么？

如果有这样的机会，那我想见的人可就太多了！但如果只能选择一位，我希望是国王达格利什。我想告诉他，他给过我许多勇气。他使我不断挑战自己，并激励我去为我真正热爱的事情奋斗。所有这些都是因他而变的，他是我的导师，不光只是在足球方面，更是我人生道路上的导师。

作为一名利物浦球迷，你最自豪的是什么？

我感到自豪的是有这些利物浦球迷朋友。上学期我离开上海孤身前往日本学习，这是我第一次离开家乡那么长时间，我挺害怕的，但我的担忧显然是多余的。我在网上认识了很多日本的利物浦球迷，当我来到那里后，他们帮了我不少忙。是利物浦将我们聚在了一起，我们组成了一个大家庭。虽然我已经回上海了，但一直与他们保持联络。无论我在哪里，都会找到与我有共同信仰的人，我们为此同甘共苦。作为一名利物浦球迷，你不只是一名球迷，更是加入了一个大家庭。

最后，支持利物浦对你来说意味着什么？

我支持利物浦已经有10年了。相比于其他的红军球迷，10年可能很短，但对我一个22岁的中国女孩来说，这已经算长的了，它已经成为我生命的一部分。当我听到："You'll Never Walk Alone"，我就会充满力量。我希望自己是一个富有激情和勇敢的人，就像利物浦一样。

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Previous articles in the LFC Global Family series:

South Africa - Melissa Reddy>>
Thailand - Jeerawan Duangnam Herriot>>
Australia - Wayne Psaila>>
Mexico - Victor Alvarado>>
Indonesia - Andhika Sarwendha Suksmana>>
Nepal - Nischal Adhikari>>
Ghana - Aristo Dotse>>
India - Kaushal Goyal>>
Singapore - Henry Hann>>
Bahrain - Mohamed Ashoor>>
Mongolia - Amarsaikhan Orsoo>>
Vietnam - Pham Quynh Le>>
USA - July 4th Special>>
Iran - Mohammad Reza Rahimi>>
South Korea - Yong-Suk Choi>>
Norway - Arild Skjæveland>>
Russia - Ivan Potapov>>
Myanmar - Khin Maung Cho>>
USA - Roy Yates>>