Wataru Endo said that he could not herself at Yokohama F Marinos after a trial in the J-League Club years ago, after the midfielder returned to his hometown as a Liverpool player in Japan on Wednesday.
It was the first time that Endo played in the Liverpool shirt in his own country when the Premier League champions Yokohama defeated 3-1 in a pre-season friendly.
«I actually supported this club and I went to (a) process, but I could not get to this club. Now I came back here as a player of (Liverpool). It was a dream moment,» the 32-year-old Liverpool website said.
«It was a great moment for me because I came back to Japan as a Liverpool player. For me it meant a lot.»
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Endo made his senior debut in Shonan Bellmare, a club based in Hiratsuka, more than 30 kilometers away from Yokohama. He played for Bundesliga Side VFB Stuttgart before he joined Liverpool in 2023.
Virgil van Dijk handed Endo the bracelet of the captain while he replaced the Dutchman in the second half.
«I think it was a great gesture. I think all Japanese people might want me to be a captain,» Endo added.
Liverpool starts his Premier League title defense with a home game against Bournemouth on 15 August.
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