InterviewTAKUMI, WELCOME TO LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB – TALK
US THROUGH YOUR EMOTIONS...
It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player.
And I’m so excited that the moment has come true. I’ve known
about it for a while.DID YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU AND GOODBYE
TO RB SALZBURG?
Salzburg is a very important club for me. I managed my
messages – thank you and goodbye – to my team-mates, the
manager and the fans in Salzburg.LIVERPOOL FANS HAVE BEEN EAGERLY ANTICIPATING YOUR
ARRIVAL. HAVE YOU SEEN THE EXCITEMENT ONLINE? HOW
DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL?
Yes, I have seen and heard about the fans’ excitement. But I was
calm. Liverpool is a very famous team in Japan as well and it
is a dream for a football player to play in such a team. It didn’t
take me long to come to a decision.YOU PLAYED WITH NABY KEITA FOR 18 MONTHS AT
SALZBURG – DID YOU SPEAK TO HIM ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE
AT LIVERPOOL?
I didn’t speak to him about me coming here but I know him and
he knows me and I’m looking forward to playing with him again.HOW DO YOU SEE THE TRANSITION TO PREMIER LEAGUE
FOOTBALL? IS IT A NATURAL STEP FOR YOU?
To play in the Premier League was one of my targets. I think
this is the top-class league in the world; I was thinking if my
career as a footballer progressed smoothly, someday I would be
able to play in the Premier League. But I never thought I would
be able to play in this team and I’m really happy about it. I’m
looking forward to it.DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN MAKE AN INSTANT IMPACT FROM
JANUARY?
Once I’m part of the team, from the moment I’m given the
chance to play, I’m intending to make a contribution to this
team. For me to be able to do that I’m going to do my very
best.THERE’S CLEARLY A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR PLACES
HERE – WILL YOU RELISH PUSHING THE LIKES OF MOHAMED
SALAH, SADIO MANE AND ROBERTO FIRMINO?
Not only them, there are many world-class players here and of
course it’s not an easy challenge. It’s not easy to overtake those
players to get a position but having the mentality of challenging
those players is important to keep the team’s high level. That
sort of mentality is important for the team and I certainly will
play with that mentality.YOU’VE PLAYED AGAINST LIVERPOOL TWICE THIS SEASON –
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THOSE GAMES?
From those games I learned that this team has such a high level
of technique and intensity. Their football is of such a high level
and I did feel that they were the champions of the Champions
League. Feeling that, it makes me feel even happier that I can
play in this team. I’m really happy to be part of that team.AND YOU EXPERIENCED ANFIELD IN OCTOBER – WHAT DID
YOU MAKE OF THE STADIUM?
Anfield is a famous stadium in Japan. I think it’s a special
stadium, especially in terms of the atmosphere of the fans and
also the tradition and history of the stadium. I played against
Liverpool when I played here, I do remember the atmosphere
was fantastic.SE
AMURAI