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Wataru Endo has described the reception he received against Yokohama F.Marinos on Wednesday as “amazing.”
The Liverpool midfielder came off the bench in the second half of the 3-1 win and was handed the captain’s armband by Virgil van Dijk when he entered the pitch. He was greeted with a huge roar at the Nissan Stadium as the Japanese supporters were thrilled to see their national team captain back in his homeland.
Endo had been a selection doubt after missing last week’s friendly against AC Milan due to illness, but his inclusion was the highlight for many in the stadium. Speaking after the match, Liverpool’s No. 3 spoke of his pride and revealed his family were also in attendance to see him face his boyhood club.
“It was an amazing moment for me because I came back to Japan as a Liverpool player. For me, it meant a lot,” Endo told the club’s website.
“First of all, I really appreciate my manager and Virg because of what they have done to me. I think it was a great gesture. I think all Japanese people maybe wanted me to be captain.
"All my family came to watch the game today, so I think they were very excited to watch this game today. I'm happy that I could show this game to my family. They are happy.
Liverpool came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Yokohama, with Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha, and Trey Nyoni on the scoresheet. It was a hard-fought win against a Yokohama side that managed seven shots.
“Yokohama is in the middle of the season, so they are very fit,” Endo said of the performance. “I think they played well, especially in the first half.
“It's not easy for us to beat them but, of course, we needed to show we are Liverpool and we are champions of the Premier League. I'm happy with the result.
“I supported this club actually and I went to [a] trial but I couldn't join this club. Now I came back here as a player of [Liverpool]. It was a dream-come-true moment."
Endo was deployed at center-back on Wednesday, a role he could find himself playing more often this season due to the club’s lack of options at the heart of defense. It’s something Arne Slot referenced recently, in fact.
“I don't mind where I play. I just give 100 percent, even if I play No. 6 or centre-back or right-back," Endo said.
“I played as a centre-back when I played in Japan, so I don't mind which position I play and I just give 100 percent every time.”
English (US) ·