Liverpool F.C. confirmed on July 5 that Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo has reported back to the training camp ahead of the 2026‑27 pre‑season, joining Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander‑Arnold, who returned early from their summer breaks.

Why did Endo return early?

Endo’s contract expires in June 2027, and manager Jürgen Klopp wants the player fully integrated before the season starts on August 12. The midfielder missed the first week of the overseas camp in Austria due to a minor hamstring tweak, but medical scans cleared him on July 4. Klopp told reporters that having Endo train with Salah and Alexander‑Arnold will sharpen the midfield‑defence link that struggled last season.

How will the trio shape Liverpool’s pre‑season?

Salah, who netted 22 league goals in 2025‑26, has been working on his fitness in Spain, while Alexander‑Arnold completed a series of set‑piece drills in Liverpool. Endo’s arrival adds a versatile defensive option; he logged 2,850 minutes in the J1 League last year and covered an average of 11.2 km per match. The three will feature in the first friendly against Bayern Munich on July 20, giving fans a glimpse of the midfield‑attack partnership Klopp hopes to perfect.

What does this mean for Liverpool’s squad planning?

With the transfer window closing on September 1, Endo’s early return signals that Liverpool may not be looking to replace him. Instead, the club appears focused on cementing the core that finished fourth in the Premier League last term. The early training also gives the coaching staff time to assess Endo’s fitness ahead of a potential summer loan move for a younger prospect, a tactic Klopp used in previous campaigns.

The pre‑season schedule now includes matches against Bayern Munich (July 20), Paris Saint‑Germain (July 27) and a home friendly versus Manchester United on August 3. Endo, Salah and Alexander‑Arnold will be central figures in these fixtures, offering supporters early signs of the rhythm and chemistry that could propel Liverpool back into the title race.