Liverpool set for world title bid

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Liverpool arrived in Japan on Monday for the World Club Championship insisting they are committed to clinching the title.

"We came to win the tournament, it's as simple as that," said captain Steven Gerrard after the 15-hour trip.

"We'll get used to the time difference over the next few days and we will be raring to go in the first game."

The Reds take on Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa in Thursday's semi-final in Yokohama.

Liverpool have been courting potential investors in Asia but chief executive Rick Parry denied that was the main reason for their trip to Japan.

"This is a competitive trip, not a commercial trip - we are here to win trophies," he said.

"We are conscious of the fact that we have a huge fan base in Asia.

"We toured here in 2001 and 2003 and the players were impressed with the warmth of the welcome and depth of our support.

"We are strengthening links with our supporters but this is not a marketing trip to generate commercial revenues."