As Japan braced itself for a potential natural disaster on Wednesday morning, Liverpool FC stayed focused on their game plan.
Despite a string of urgent tsunami warnings issued across the country, the Premier League champions are still set to take the pitch for their pre-season clash in Yokohama.
Japan Wakes Up to Tsunami Alerts After Massive Earthquake
People across Japan awoke to alerts warning of tsunami waves as high as three meters along parts of the Pacific coastline—from Hokkaido down to Wakayama.
Officials swiftly called for coastal evacuations in several areas as the threat loomed, all triggered by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia the night before.
The powerful quake was the strongest recorded globally in 14 years, and the sixth strongest in recorded history, setting off alarms across the Pacific and sending waves toward both Russia and Japan.
Match Still On at Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium
Despite the chaos and concern, Liverpool’s pre-season match against Yokohama F. Marinos is going ahead as scheduled.
The match will be held at the iconic Nissan Stadium, which once hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final and the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final.
More than 72,000 fans are expected to pack the stadium, with kickoff set for 11:30am UK time.
Organizers have confirmed that the match will proceed unless there’s a last-minute change due to safety concerns.
Liverpool Wraps Up Intense Pre-Season Camp
This fixture marks the end of Liverpool’s pre-season tour in Asia.
The squad has been training in intense heat, with temperatures soaring up to 37°C, and will return to the UK shortly after the match.
The game is a key part of their pre-season preparations as the team looks to carry its strong form into the new Premier League season.
A Stark Contrast Between Sport and Nature’s Power
While football fans in Japan prepare to cheer for their team, the contrast is sharp—just hours earlier, much of the country was under tsunami alert.
The events serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of nature, even as everyday life and global sport carry on.
For now, safety officials continue to monitor the situation, and Liverpool fans worldwide can still look forward to watching their team in action—provided the waves stay at bay.