The last time Glen Johnson got a taste of exactly the kind of fanaticism that awaits travelling football players in Bangkok, he was wearing distinctly different colours. The blue of Chelsea, to be precise.

At Tuesday’s press conference in the ballroom of the Grand Erawan hotel, the Englishman was all smiles, all ready to answer questions, and as Rafa put it, all ready to play. And he looked just right in the red of Liverpool FC. “It’s been fantastic. Everybody’s been great to me, helped me settle in. It’s brilliant here in Bangkok, all those fans in the Liverpool shirts, it’s a great sight to see,” he said, and added a hope that he could come up with the kind of consistent display he had last season with Portsmouth.

Today was a busy day for the squad, with the division of duties all too evident to anyone who happened to be out on a cloudy day in the Thai capital. When I was returning home, a cavalcade of policemen on bikes furiously signalled for our car to stop so a string of minivans could pass by, and yes, they contained Liverpool FC”s finest, eager for a bit of sightseeing. A few went to the Grand Palace, while others were packed off to do their various promotional commitments and football clinics. They probably did squeeze in a few hours rest before the nearly two-hour long training session that was to take place at the Rajamangala Stadum in the evening, passes to which were very kindly handed out to me by Steve McMahon, who is very nice to talk to, even if you are tongue-tied and star-struck.

At the beginning of the evening’s practice, the players confined themselves to two small circles in the centre of the field, but the stadium had been taken over by roaring, screaming, flag-waving supporters who were well-versed in all the Liverpool anthems. ‘We all dream of a team of Carraghers’ was repeated again and again as the man himself knocked a few balls around, along with emphatic cries of ‘Xabi don’t go’, ‘Mascherano don’t leave for Barca’, and requests to Fernando Torres to convey the same message to his countrymate: ‘Tell Xabi no go to Real, tell Xabi to stay, Fernando!’

Torres, meanwhile, contented himself with running laps around the athletics track at the stadium, checking his watch every now and then, and was soon joined by Yossi Benayoun, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso. They deigned to raise their hands to the crowd now and then, every time bringing up a fresh wave of cheers. In the kickabout that followed, the following were moments worthy of some noise: Johnson’s excellent backheel flick of a pass in the middle, Pepe’s quick recovery for a save that was nearly a lost cause, Carra getting stuck into the opposition, and so what if it happened to be his own clubmate, he was on a different team for the moment.

Torres and Alonso went off early back to the locker room to thunderous applause, and it’s pretty certain that the Spanish contingent will play a role only in the end credits of Wednesday’s match. Johnson is likely to be in the first XI, and after less than impressive results in their last two friendlies, Liverpool will look to get in a win on their pre-season tour of Asia. But regardless of the result, their visit here will be referred to time and again amongst the hordes of fanatics who have been thronging the hotel and stadium the last two days for a glimpse of a world they only see on television between August and May each season. They lined the path inside and outside the stadium gates once it was time for the players to leave the stadium after their practice on Tuesday night, and waited excitedly in the hope of getting another chance to get close to their heroes. There was no sign of that happening anytime soon, but they were happy to bide time discussing all things Liverpool, and it’ll stay in their minds as a happy memory forever.

I know I’ll never forget it.

It looks like most of the signings so far this summer at Liverpool have been for new deals for current players instead of new signings. I am not complaining about that at all as it is important that we keep our key players who have served us well over the past few seasons. Today Yossi Benayoun follows Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt in committing his long-term future to the club. The 29-year-old Israeli international put pen to paper on a two-year extension to his current deal this afternoon and he will remain at Anfield until 2013.

I am a big fan of Yossi now. It took me a while to get to like him as his early performances in a red shirt were not that great but last season he stepped up his game big time and chipped in with nine goals. The two most memorable were the one against Real Madrid in Madrid and then his winner against Fulham at Craven Cottage in the last minute.

What I like about Yossi is how clever he is, when he runs between the lines and the defenders can not pick him up. He can not only spot a great pass but he can also finish. He gives us a great option when he comes off the bench or starts the game. For me he is rather similar to Spain’s David Silva and thus I would not be too upset if Silva does not join us this summer as we have Yossi.

Reports this morning are suggesting that Yossi is not happy with playing a bit-part role for Liverpool and wants to be playing more soon or else he will leave the club. It is clear to see where Yossi is coming from, he clearly wants to be playing more than just coming off the bench. I am sure every single player at the club wants to start every game but there are only eleven places up for grabs and about 30 players vying for those eleven places.
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There is has been a bit of talk lately about the future of Yossi. He has been linked with a move to Roma recently and earlier on in the summer there was even some talk about him going back to West Ham. But the player himself has come out and said that he wants to stay at Liverpool and fight for his place in the team. For me, this is good news. I really do like Yossi. There were some times last season he did let me down but then again he scored quite a number of goals last season and his general play around the box was great.

Yossi is one of those players who you can throw into a game with 20 minutes to go and he can change the outlook of the match with his runs and passes. He gives us a great option and for that he should stay if we are to challenge for the title. We need such players as part of the squad.

It was also announced today that Yossi will be leaving the number 11 jursey he wore last season and instead wear the number 15 which was vacated by Peter Crouch. Yossi has always been a fan of the number 15 and hopefully now that he has his favourite number he will do even better for us. So now another great jursey in number 11 is vacant. Would you like it Mr. David Silva?

The agent of Yossi has come out and said that even were the club to wish to sell his client, he would insist upon staying. Apparently he sees his future in a Red shirt, and who can blame him? He’s a clever player who brings something special at times against tired defenders. He’s also an excellent selection for our squad games in the League.

All in all, I stay good show to Yossi and wish him well this year.

Yossi Benayoun could be on his way out of Liverpool this summer if Portsmouth come in and make an acceptable bid. I have had no problems with Yossi ever since he joined Liverpool. I was a bit surprised when we signed him but he held up his own and put in some commanding appearances for us. Yossi is definitely a great squad player and we would need someone like him to stay on and help us push for the Premiership. He will not be a regular starter but he can certainly do a good job coming off the bench. It would be sad to see him leave for Portsmouth but if we are getting a decent amount of cash for him then it is okay as we can use that cash to boost our coffers and sign the likes of Villa and Silva.