Steve McMahon has exclusively told espnstar.com that he is 'absolutely gutted' about the negative press that has surrounded Liverpool's Asian Tour to Singapore.

By Eugene YS Han

The Reds' return to the Lion City after an eight-year absence has been overshadowed by Steven Gerrard's non-appearance after the club captain skipped the trip due to a court case.

It caused a mini-uproar among some of the fans who had bought tickets beforehand believing the Liverpool captain would be part of the travelling team.

The local press, the former Liverpool midfielder felt, also played a big part in aggravating the situation.

"I am just disappointed with everybody's attitude, the press's attitude after we brought Liverpool here. I am absolutely gutted," the 47-year-old Englishman told espnstar.com.

"I thought it would be positive and not negative. But I am picking up press articles, watching (the coverage) on television and everybody's been negative. It's a disgrace!"

McMahon, who is the commercial director of Profitable Group that brought Liverpool to Thailand and Singapore, had hoped that by bringing Liverpool to Asia, he could help fulfill the dreams of the club's fanatic supporters.

"Bringing Liverpool out here was a major achievement. That's what I wanted to do," said McMahon.

"I have been here for nearly four years and I know the passion. I know the fanatical support. I made it my mission to bring Liverpool here. Because it's a fanatic place and they all love Liverpool, " he added.

But now that the tour has been dominated by so much negative press that McMahon feels very disappointed.

"We are bringing in one of the best teams in the world to Asia and to Singapore. And I did it personally and I am absolutely gutted about this, I really am."

"So I got Liverpool here with the Group and we made it all happen but everybody just wants to knock it all the time. Enough is enough."