Takumi Minamino takes Wataru Endo's spot for Japan after Paul Pogba blessing

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

After coming on as a substitute in Liverpool's 2-1 loss to Chelsea last weekend in the Premier League, midfielder Wataru Endo — Japan's captain since 2023 — withdrew from his national team with an injury. Ex-Liverpool forward/midfielder Takumi Minamino stepped into Endo's spot and wore the captain's armband in the Samurai Blue's 2-2 draw against Paraguay on Friday at the Panasonic Stadium Suita in Osaka.

"He's the first at training and last to leave," Pogba said, via Sportiva. The Japanese international scored 14 times in 55 games for Liverpool, including 10 during the team's cup-double campaign of 2021/22.

He's bagged 24 goals in 70 games for the Japan national team. He's scored four times in 71 caps for his national team, a stint that includes six matches at the home Tokyo Olympics in 2021.