Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has had a pretty incredible few months at Liverpool recently. The Japanese international arrived at the club last summer with very few expectations. It’s fair to say that he has already surpassed everything that was expected of him.
At the time, if you told someone that Endo would go onto have a better season than Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia, few people will have believed you. But fast forward to the present and this is not just an opinion anymore but a mere fact.
Endo has established himself as a key player for Liverpool. Someone who has been integral to Jurgen Klopp’s success over the last few months. It is very telling that Liverpool still haven’t lost a Premier League game that Endo has started for the club. Based on that alone, it’s hard to argue against him being a better signing than Caicedo, who has struggled at times this season settling in at Stamford Bridge.
Endo’s rise at Liverpool hasn’t just amazed the club’s supporters though. While on international duty, he has revealed even his teammates have been surprised by his performances.
Wataru Endo on what has impressed his teammates
Endo has returned to his national team recently to participate in Japan’s World Cup qualifiers against North Korea. Ahead of the game, he spoke in a press conference to preview the match. Naturally, the conversation centred around not just the North Korean game but Endo’s performances at Liverpool as well.
“I think the fact that I’m playing in such a big game like City vs. Liverpool and showing off my performance is an inspiration to the players around me,” Endo said as per Gekisaka.
Endo also went onto reveal that all his teammates were keeping an eye on him when he was playing for Liverpool and were really impressed by how he played.
“Everyone was watching the City game, and it had such an impact on me that people told me they were watching from the other side. As a captain, I think it’s important to show through my plays in the sense that I can motivate those around me. Communication is one thing, but it’s also important for the Japanese national team to perform at the centre of Liverpool for their club. I think it’s the best.”
It’s great to see Endo being an inspiration. Japanese football has grown tremendously over the last few years and Endo is a testament to its growth.