The 2025-26 Women’s Eredivisie Player of the Year is the fifth new addition to Gareth Taylor’s Reds squad this summer.
Itamura completed her permanent move to the club from Feyenoord on Monday, subject to visa approval and international clearance, putting pen to paper at the AXA Melwood Training Centre.
In doing so, she has fulfilled a career objective and thrilled her family – who list football and Liverpool fans among them.
But as she explained in her first interview as a Reds player, Itamura has no intention of resting on her laurels.
Read our welcome Q&A with the Japanese attacking midfielder below…
Firstly, a big welcome to you. How pleased are you to be here officially as a Liverpool player?
It’s a league and club that was one of my goals. So, I’m happy to be here. It’s a club and a name that is known all around the world.
Your career has taken you all around the world so far, even though you’re still so young. How easy a choice was it to come to Liverpool given the name and the stature of the club?
When I started playing soccer, one of my goals was to become a professional footballer. When I reached that goal, I wanted to play for my favourite team. I’m really happy to have the opportunity to play in Liverpool, a big club.
Talk to us about your family in Japan. I imagine they are incredibly proud of the journey you’ve been on so far and to now be wearing the Liverpool shirt?
To tell the truth, my family love to play football. Especially my eldest brother, who is a big Liverpool fan and he even comes to Liverpool just to sightsee. So, he’ll be the happiest.
We’re here at Melwood – what are your first impressions of your new home?
It is a wonderful facility and I am excited to be able to come here from now on. I was nervous but it was a warm welcome and I felt a little relieved.
In terms of your career so far, you’re only 19 so you’re still in the early stages. You’ve been playing in the Netherlands. For those who might not have seen much of you so far, describe your game and how you like to play football…
My strength is dribbling and going all the way to the line. I want to show everyone my dribbling skills.
In terms of your style, it feels like you’re a flair player, someone who wants to bring some excitement to the Liverpool fans this season?
Of course, I want to make the fans excited with my skills. I also want to contribute to the team with my strengths, goals and assists.
We mentioned playing in the Netherlands, last season you were the Player of the Year there. Obviously, a huge accolade at the age of 19. Six assists, eight goals in 20 appearances in the league, an exceptional campaign for you. Is that the kind of form you want to bring to Liverpool?
Of course, I don’t think it will be as easy for me as last year. I think I’ll have more intense contact with opposition players. I want to leave with the result and with goals and assists.
You are a Japan international at youth level. Of course, here we have Fuka Nagano, who has got more than 60 caps for Japan. Is she somebody you look up to for inspiration and can help you settle in?
I watch her matches and I admire her a lot. So, I want to absorb a lot of things from her.
What are your hopes for the season coming, then? And how do you plan to make a big difference to this team?
First of all, I want to win a title at Liverpool. Personally, I’m in a new environment but I want a lot of challenges and to get goals.
You’ve got the training kit on with the badge – a big badge to wear. How excited are you to wear the shirt for real for the first time in a game?
I really wanted to go to the club, so I want to wear [the shirt] and go to a match soon.
