Wataru Endo surprised a lot of people during his debut season as a Liverpool player.
The Japan midfielder was a shock signing last summer as he arrived out of the blue from Stuttgart in August.
The antidote to Liverpool’s failed move for Moises Caicedo, Endo had a job on convincing supporters that he was good enough for the Liverpool squad.
One year on, and few people still need persuading. Endo was brilliant at times under Jurgen Klopp, always giving his all and remedying Liverpool’s need for a ball-winning midfielder.
With Arne Slot now replacing Klopp in the dugout, Endo looks set to play a big part for the Reds in his second season at Anfield.
Wataru Endo shares new season excitement
There are plenty of supporters who would prefer that Liverpool go out and sign another number 6 this summer.
They have once again been linked with a move for Atalanta’s Ederson and the Brazilian would look like the kind of profile who could shunt Endo out of the team.
However, despite reports that Endo could be sold after just one year at Liverpool, it looks like the 31-year-old will now stay put.
Whether he’ll play as much as he did in 2023/24 remains to be seen, but Liverpool are planning ahead with Endo onboard.
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Now fully settled into life on Merseyside, the Japanese has been speaking on Red Machine: The Wataru Endo podcast about his hopes for next year.
“We will get a new manager but the things I have to do don’t change, I just try to keep doing my best and I will keep showing myself,” says Endo. “It’s just a new start for me and the other players,” he adds.
Endo also admitted that he can’t wait for his first taste of Champions League football.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in the Champions League next season,” says Liverpool’s No.3. “Most of the players play football for the Champions League or winning the title; I’m so happy that we achieved [qualification] for the Champions League.”
Liverpool set for Wataru Endo ‘blow’
Although Endo is rightly looking forward to being part of Liverpool for a second year, his start to campaign number two looks likely to be delayed.
As reported by journalist David Lynch earlier this week, Endo is set to be called up for Japan’s Olympic squad.
With the competition running until the middle of August, it looks like Endo will not have much time to work with Slot at the AXA Training Centre this summer.
As his place in the starting XI is surely under threat, that will possibly be a disappointment to the midfielder.
Nevertheless, the pride at leading his nation out at the Olympics will perhaps be worth it.
Either way, Endo will definitely be back by the time Liverpool’s Champions League campaign kicks off in September. And we’re looking forward to that, too.