Latest from Liverpool official: it was announced today that the Reds will return to Asia in July as part of their build-up to the 2025-26 campaign.

Arne Slot’s squad are set to face AC Milan in Hong Kong, China on July 26, which will be followed by a visit to Endo’s own nation, for which further details will be announced in due course.

“I’m really happy about it,” said the No.3. “I’m so excited to be going to Japan with my teammates, and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I know there are a lot of Liverpool fans in Japan, as well as Premier League fans, so I believe everyone is really looking forward to it.

“I hope all the Liverpool fans in Japan fully enjoy the team’s visit.”

Endo, the captain of the Japan national team, is nearing the end of his second season as a Liverpool player having arrived from VfB Stuttgart in 2023.

The midfielder sees similarities between his current home city and where he grew up. “When I go to the waterfront in Liverpool, it reminds me of the port in Yokohama, where I’m from,” he explained.

And how might Endo use any downtime with his teammates to show them local sights during the trip?

“Each player has different things they want to do in Japan. Some of them love anime, so I’d like to take them to an anime shop,” he said.

“Others enjoy Japanese food, especially sushi, so I think it would be great to take them to a sushi restaurant.”