19 Aug 2026 11:04:34
A retraction
Here is something for you, an anti-runout of sorts.
A week or so ago I published a rumour about Liverpool scouting Takefusa Kubo following a chat with my pal in Japan.
I've caught up with him again and he said I'd caught the wrong end of the stick about his convo, so I thought I'd clear this up.
Some of his colleagues are working at an academy near Tokyo that produced Takefusa Kubo, and the rumour is that Liverpool are investing in similar academies to scout J-League prospects by proxy, as it were.
So just to confirm, no Kubo.
He said Liverpool FC have an employee over there called Dan Gavin setting things up for this.
Also worth noting that these facilities are like at U-15 level and no significant names he knows of are linked from J-League.
Apologies for any confusion, but some interesting news from someone who will give me updates if I badger him enough.
19 Aug 2026 11:20:57
Great rumour, thanks mate.
19 Aug 2026 11:28:50
Love everything about this post.
19 Aug 2026 11:30:22
Cheers, Scintillate.
I read that the J-League is growing in importance for the club scouts.
But perhaps that is an excuse for expenses-paid karaoke and sake benders.
19 Aug 2026 11:34:58
Makes sense. Feel like FSG, for the last number of years, have been trying to break more into the Asian market. I remember us signing Minamino, and I myself was excited by the prospect, and then, suspiciously, he always played a 12.45 kick off which was prime time for the fans in Asia to watch him play.
So makes sense they want to get in at the ground level and have us develop our own talent.
19 Aug 2026 11:35:07
Very insightful, did he mention where the Barcola done deal is?
19 Aug 2026 12:02:21
Cheers, great if we are looking at the Asian market.
19 Aug 2026 12:35:14
Random info gained from various commentators, (no definite or bona fide sources), but Japan have invested, are investing great amounts of money in a 100 year plan (I know) to win the World Cup!
Looking at their performances at this year's World Cup, it seems to make sense to jump in / aboard / along side their plan.
19 Aug 2026 12:40:44
Cheers, Skintillate, great info.
19 Aug 2026 13:12:43
Good info. Hopefully we see the benefits in 5 years or so.
Sure there are similar initiatives in other parts of the World too though.
19 Aug 2026 13:15:20
Thanks, Scintillate.
Your mate, is he big in Japan?
19 Aug 2026 13:57:24
@Origi. ?
19 Aug 2026 14:37:00
Love that rumour, enjoyed watching the Japanese in the World Cup, played some nice interlinking attacking play, one for the future then.