Latest news with #Endo
The Mainichi
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Football: English champions Liverpool beat Marinos on Japan return
YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) -- Liverpool came from behind to beat Yokohama F Marinos 3-1 in an international club friendly on Wednesday, claiming victory in the English Premier League champions' first game in Japan in 20 years. Their red-clad fans outnumbered those in the hosts' blue at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, the hometown of Japan captain and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, with a packed crowd of 67,032 on hand for the Reds' first visit to the country since the 2005 Club World Championship. Prior to the game, fans gathered at a corner outside the venue to write farewell messages to Liverpool player Diogo Jota, who died along with his younger brother in a car crash on July 3 in northwestern Spain. "I was so shocked when I heard the news," said 21-year-old Genki Urata, a supporter of both Liverpool and his local club Marinos, who wore a Jota No. 20 shirt he bought two years ago. "I definitely want them to come back again next year, although I'm thinking about going to Anfield too. Today, of course I'm supporting Liverpool." Liverpool all-time top scorer Ian Rush delivered a tribute to Jota before the kick-off, followed by fans joining in a chant for the former Portugal forward. Marinos attacker Jun Amano grabbed early attention with a volley that went off target, before nutmegging Ryan Graveberch in the middle of the park, while Cody Gakpo curled a low shot onto the right post in the ninth minute for Liverpool. Fans once again paid respect to Jota by applauding in the 20th minute, in acknowledgement of his shirt number. Liverpool debutant Hugo Ekitike had a backheel saved before the best chance of the half fell to J1 strugglers Marinos, whose status as one of the only two clubs never to be relegated since the launch of the J-League in 1993, alongside Kashima Antlers, is in jeopardy this year. A two-man counter in the 40th minute saw Yan Matheus' chipped cross finding Dean David, whose stooping header drew a diving save from keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Asahi Uenaka and Darwin Nunez missed chances at either end early in the second half, before the Marinos attacker opened the scoring in the 55th minute, low off the post, after latching on to a fine through ball from Riku Yamane. Endo entered on the hour-mark to replace Virgil van Dijk, taking the captain's armband, and Liverpool leveled two minutes later when Curtis Jones launched a counter and provided a tiny touch off Mohamed Salah's pass to allow big summer signing Florian Wirtz to score. "I'm really happy that I could score my first goal. I hope there are more to come," said Wirtz, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen. "I'm happy we won the game, and it was an incredible atmosphere here in the stadium, so thank you." Trey Nyoni put Liverpool ahead in the 68th minute as he stretched his leg out to meet Jeremie Frimpong's cross to the far post, while a header by Endo in the 77th minute was followed by his Liverpool chant sung by Japanese fans. Sixteen-year-old Rio Ngumoha put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when he ran the entire opposition half before slotting home low, a timely showing of his talent on the left wing following the departure of Luis Diaz. "Coming back to the city where I grew up as a Liverpool player was a special, wonderful moment," Endo said. "I knew there are lots of Liverpool fans and I'm grateful as a Japanese about their action toward the team (about Jota)." "I want to win the Premier League again and I'm sure all our players will head into the new season hoping to win the Champions League, cups, all the titles available. The manager knows me well after a year together and I think it will be a different season." "I hope to have a good season with Liverpool and head into the World Cup in the best shape possible." (By Morichika Nakamoto)
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Endo recalls unsuccessful Yokohama trial as he captains Liverpool against hometown club
YOKOHAMA: Wataru Endo said he could not join Yokohama F Marinos after a trial at the J-League club years ago, after the Japan midfielder returned to his hometown side on Wednesday as a Liverpool player. It was the first time Endo played in the Liverpool shirt in his own country as the Premier League champions beat Yokohama 3-1 in a pre-season friendly. "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," the 32-year-old told Liverpool's official website. "It was an amazing moment for me because I came back to Japan as a Liverpool player. For me, it meant a lot." Endo made his senior debut at Shonan Bellmare, a club based in Hiratsuka, over 30 kilometres away from Yokohama. He played for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart before joining Liverpool in 2023. Virgil van Dijk handed Endo the captain's armband as the latter replaced the Dutchman in the second half. "I think it was a great gesture. I think all Japanese people maybe wanted me to be captain," Endo added.
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
From an failed trial in Japan to leading Liverpool — Endo recalls unsuccessful trial at Yokohama Marinos
Wataru Endo said he could not join Yokohama F Marinos after a trial at the J-League club years ago, after the Japan midfielder returned to his hometown side on Wednesday as a Liverpool player. It was the first time Endo played in the Liverpool shirt in his own country as the Premier League champions beat Yokohama 3-1 in a pre-season friendly. '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,' the 32-year-old told Liverpool's official website. 'It was an amazing moment for me because I came back to Japan as a Liverpool player. For me, it meant a lot.' ALSO READ: Wirtz opens Liverpool account in friendly win over Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan Endo made his senior debut at Shonan Bellmare, a club based in Hiratsuka, over 30 kilometres away from Yokohama. He played for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart before joining Liverpool in 2023. Virgil van Dijk handed Endo the captain's armband as the latter replaced the Dutchman in the second half. 'I think it was a great gesture. I think all Japanese people maybe wanted me to be captain,' Endo added. Liverpool begins its Premier League title defence with a home game against Bournemouth on August 15.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Endo recalls unsuccessful Yokohama trial as he captains Liverpool against hometown club
WATARU ENDO said he could not join Yokohama F Marinos after a trial at the J-League club years ago, after the Japan midfielder returned to his hometown side on Wednesday as a Liverpool player. It was the first time Endo played in the Liverpool shirt in his own country as the Premier League champions beat Yokohama 3-1 in a pre-season friendly. '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,' the 32-year-old told Liverpool's official website. 'It was an amazing moment for me because I came back to Japan as a Liverpool player. For me, it meant a lot.' Endo made his senior debut at Shonan Bellmare, a club based in Hiratsuka, over 30 kilometres away from Yokohama. He played for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart before joining Liverpool in 2023. Virgil van Dijk handed Endo the captain's armband as the latter replaced the Dutchman in the second half. 'I think it was a great gesture. I think all Japanese people maybe wanted me to be captain,' Endo added. Liverpool begin their Premier League title defence with a home game against Bournemouth on August 15 - REUTERS
The Star
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Endo recalls unsuccessful Yokohama trial as he captains Liverpool against hometown club
Soccer Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Yokohama F Marinos v Liverpool - Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, Japan - July 30, 2025 Liverpool's Wataru Endo is presented with an award after the match REUTERS/Issei Kato (Reuters) -Wataru Endo said he could not join Yokohama F Marinos after a trial at the J-League club years ago, after the Japan midfielder returned to his hometown side on Wednesday as a Liverpool player. It was the first time Endo played in the Liverpool shirt in his own country as the Premier League champions beat Yokohama 3-1 in a pre-season friendly. "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," the 32-year-old told Liverpool's official website. "It was an amazing moment for me because I came back to Japan as a Liverpool player. For me, it meant a lot." Endo made his senior debut at Shonan Bellmare, a club based in Hiratsuka, over 30 kilometres away from Yokohama. He played for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart before joining Liverpool in 2023. Virgil van Dijk handed Endo the captain's armband as the latter replaced the Dutchman in the second half. "I think it was a great gesture. I think all Japanese people maybe wanted me to be captain," Endo added. Liverpool begin their Premier League title defence with a home game against Bournemouth on August 15. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
