The 24-year-old Minamino, who signed for £7.25 million from Salzburg in Austria, was part of a much-changed Reds line-up at Anfield.

The 22-time international almost enjoyed a goal-scoring debut when he glanced a header wide of the mark before he was eventually replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after 70 minutes.

The Japan international forward will officially become a Reds player on January 1 after he finalised personal terms and passed a medical on Merseyside.

The star-studded club took the lead off an own goal by Kashima defender Tomoya Inukai in the 18th minute, then doubled the advantage when the ball ricocheted into the net off striker Noriaki Fujimoto 20 minutes later.

The result completes Beleza’s domestic ‘triple crown’ – which also includes Nadeshiko League and League Cup titles – in a year which also saw the Tokyo club win the inaugural AFC Women’s Club Championship.

The 17-time league champions have now won triple crowns in consecutive seasons and lifted eight of the nine domestic trophies on offer in the past three years of Japanese women’s football.

A star for the club during his glittering playing career, Majidi’s appointment comes after former Inter Milan and Udinese manager Andrea Stramaccioni stepped down from the top job on December 9.

The door had seemingly been left ajar for Stramaccioni to return to the role, but Esteghlal confirmed the Italian’s departure was permanent last week, with Majidi subsequently signing a one-and-a-half-year deal with the two-time Asian champions.

Majidi takes the job on a full-time basis having briefly held the reins at Esteghlal on a caretaker basis after the departure of German boss Winfried Schaefer last April.

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, who defeated Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan to lift the 2019 title after runners-up finishes in 2014 and 2017, will have Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE), Pakhtakor (UZB) and the winner of a play-off for company.

Ten fantastic goals were nominated that spanned the Continent from Uzbekistan to Urawa, but it was Persepolis' defender Khalilzadeh whose amazing acrobatics that captured the attention and favour of Asia's football fans.

The Iranian had previously won Goal of the Week for Matchday Three and Goal of the Group Stage, and so completes his hat-trick with the overall best goal of the 2019 AFC Champions League.