Thommo in China: Day three

Last night we went to a sister hotel for a meet and greet with Standard Chartered guests. The room had been decked out brilliantly and myself and Rushie arrived before the players to go on stage and answer a couple of questions.

We drew out some competition winners who won signed footballs and a shirt. We posed for a load of photographs and generally got people warmed up and ready for the main attraction, which of course was the arrival of the team.

The players all went onto the stage and the guy hosting it had a few words with both Kenny and Carra before the lads all split off into different corners of the room to take part in activities with the guests. Some played table football, others signed autographs and another group were involved in a penalty competition.

To be fair to the lads, they had had a very long day but they looked like they were really enjoying it. I have been on the other side and I know how grumpy players can get, but they were top class and did the club proud.

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I only had a couple of drinks with the staff last night because I had an early start this morning to go with Rushie to a Standard Chartered soccer clinic. We met up with our four coaches who were going to run a session with visually impaired children. What I saw totally blew me away.

It overwhelmed me how good the coaches were and how patient they were, getting everything organised. Most of the kids were blind and our lads were talking to them through interpreters, but the coaches all knew what they were doing and did a wonderful job.

One of the great things about Standard Chartered is that they want to give something back. It's not just about the money they have put into the football club, they also want to play their part in the community and that's great to say.

The joy on the faces of the kids when they scored a goal was incredible. They knew they had scored because we were clapping and cheering. It was such an enlightening experience and made you quite humble really. It was a privilege to be there. I hadn't seen this type of event before and it took a while to take it all in.

Now we are back in the hotel having lunch. Kenny and his staff are mulling over the team selection. Obviously everybody needs to play tonight because the heat is incredible and the humidity is unbearable, so they'll all get a run-out.

This is the first game of the season. No matter which way we look at it, it is a training session but it is going out possibly to one billion people in this country. You can't get your head around the fact that one billion people could be watching a friendly match.

After the game we fly straight to Kuala Lumpur and we are expected to arrive at about 4.30 in the morning. Despite the hour, I can guarantee there will be a welcome for the team because the Malaysian fans are so passionate and love Liverpool Football Club. I know they will be there to see us.

To read day two of Thommo's exclusive diary, click here>>

Click here to read day one of Thommo's exclusive diary>>