Liverpool fans show their love as Wataru Endo assists former Red Takumi Minamino in chaotic Asian Cup match

Liverpool fans keeping their eye on the January internationals have had their attention taken away from Mohamed Salah.

The star forward has been taken away by the Africa Cup of Nations, but another of their most important players is also on a hiatus.

Wataru Endo, the £16million summer signing from Stuttgart, has been called away for Japan’s Asian Cup campaign.

Starting in their first Group D game against Vietnam, the defensive midfielder was involved in a chaotic first half.

Five goals were scored, with the first 45 minutes, which ended 3-2 to Japan, but it was a former Red who took the headlines.

Takumi Minamino, who played for Liverpool between 2019 and 2022, opened the scoring from a chaotic corner before Vietnam took a 2-1 lead.

However, Minamino wasn’t done, levelling things up just before the break, this time linking up with Endo.

Endo found the forward in space just inside the box, and he turned and finished just inside the far post to tie the game before Keito Nakamura made it 3-2.

Things calmed down in the second period with Ayase Ueda scoring to make it 4-2 and secure the three points.

Liverpool fans were delighted to see their former and current Japanese stars linking up, with one posting on X: “Wataru Endo linking up with Minamino things you love to see.”

Another added: “Endo linking up well with a lad called Minamino. One to potentially look at in the summer if the price is right.”

Minamino left Anfield in 2022 for Ligue 1 side Monaco, but as a hero.

A Premier League winner in 2020, the 28-year-old was key in the Reds’ quadruple challenge during 2021/22.

No Liverpool player managed more goals and assists than Minamino in the FA Cup and League Cup, seeing the Reds collect silverware under the Wembley arches twice in one season.