Risa Shimizu: I'm excited to be at Liverpool

Experienced Japan international defender Shimizu has arrived on loan from Manchester City for the 2025-26 season.

Taylor signed her for City from West Ham United last summer, but an anterior cruciate ligament injury – sustained while representing her country at the 2024 Olympics – forced her to miss the entirety of last term.

However, Shimizu is now set to get the chance to play under Taylor for the Reds – and the 29-year-old cannot wait to get going.

Soon after finalising her temporary move, Shimizu, who will wear the No.5 shirt, sat down with Liverpoolfc.com at the AXA Melwood Training Centre.

Check out the interview in full below.

Watch Shimizu in action for the Reds - LFC Women ticket details here

Risa, a warm welcome to Liverpool. How much are you looking forward to this next chapter in your career?

I’m excited to join this club and I’m looking forward to being on the pitch for this club as well.

Why do you feel that Liverpool is the right club for you?

I know what type of football the coach plays from our time together at City so I thought it was the right fit for me and that’s why I chose this club.

How much are you looking forward to working here at the AXA Melwood Training Centre every day?

It has very good facilities and that’s what I saw when I toured this place. It’s a good environment for training and I’m looking forward to training here every day.

You know Fuka Nagano from your national team, what did she say to you about Liverpool?

Fuka and I are obviously on the same national team and we’ve been able to keep a good relationship. We haven’t discussed much before I decided to come to Liverpool but now that I am here I’m excited to discuss more on-the-pitch stuff with Fuka.

You’re a player who mainly plays at right-back but can also play at left-back. How much of a strength is that versatility in your game?

I think it’s easy to adapt to the team because of the many positions that I can play. I think I’m a good option and a strength to be able to play many different positions. In any of those positions I think I can bring that high quality to the pitch and wherever I play on the pitch, hopefully I can perform well for this club.

What qualities are you hoping to bring to this team?

My strength is to be able to do plays that help the team and also to work hard. I believe that is the area that I want to help the club to win and hopefully I can be a strength to the club.

You were a marathon runner in your youth so stamina is a big part of your game too…

When I was younger I was part of the [Tokyo Verdy] Beleza academy team and that’s where we ran a lot – and I think that’s where my strength comes from.

You sustained an ACL injury last summer and have not played since, so does that give you a real burning desire to get back out on the pitch?

Because I was injured obviously I haven’t played for a year but when I stood back on the pitch during a training match at City I felt that enjoyment again. So hopefully I can feel that enjoyment at Liverpool now and hopefully contribute to the club.

What are your aims for the season ahead?

I want to play and get minutes and contribute to wins for Liverpool, and as a club hopefully we can continue to aim for the top end of the table. Hopefully we can continue to fight for those top spots and hopefully I can contribute to that.

You know the head coach Gareth well. What has he said to you about how he sees you fitting into the team here?

Obviously I didn’t play for Gareth yet but we discussed a lot on the football side and he was always very considerate about my knee and asking for updates, so I’m excited. Obviously I was watching [City] last season and I’m sure he wants a similar style to City at Liverpool, so I’m excited to be able to contribute to that.

Finally, do you have a message to the Liverpool supporters?

I’m glad that I was able to join a club like Liverpool and I’m going to try my very hardest to contribute positively to this club, so hopefully you guys can cheer me on.

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