Liverpool brace themselves for Wataru Endo return
Following Japan’s unfortunate exit from the AFC Asian Cup in the quarter-finals at the hands of Iran, national team captain Wataru Endo will now fly back to Liverpool and might be in contention to face Vincent Kompany’s Burnley at Anfield later this week.
The 30-year-old defensive midfielder, who joined the Reds from Stuttgart over the summer, last featured for Liverpool in our 4-2 win over Newcastle United. His presence has remained dearly felt as he created a substantial impact in the middle of the park for Jurgen Klopp. Even though he took his own time to adjust, the way he has adapted himself to the Liverpool style of play is surely commendable.
He has featured 24 times for the Reds across all competitions. Endo has scored twice, one of which was against Union SG and the other one is rather unforgettable. His belter of a goal against Fulham in a tight game saw us win the game late into stoppage time. Nevertheless, scoring is not why he’s at Liverpool. His potential return to the lineup against Burnley [h/t ECHO] is something to cheer about.
ENDOOOOO!!!
Our defensive shape against Arsenal in the recent 3-1 loss was totally out of order as evidenced by the scoreline. The timely return of Endo will ensure that Liverpool do not slip any further in their quest for a historic 20th league title. He remains as crucial as ever to the Reds’ plans. His no-nonsense style of play wherein he just flies into tackles and puts in 200% to win any second balls is just so wonderful to see.
Off the pitch, Endo’s presence in the dressing room will also stand invaluable. As a seasoned professional and natural leader, he would command respect and admiration from his teammates, serving as a mentor and role model for the younger players in the squad.
As Klopp prepares his squad for the upcoming fixture against Burnley, Endo’s return serves as a timely reminder of the depth and quality within the Liverpool squad. His reintroduction to the starting lineup will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to team morale and instil a sense of confidence among the players even though we continue to face a number of injury issues, including Dominik Szoboszlai.
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As the Reds continue their pursuit of glory on all fronts, Endo’s unwavering commitment and unwavering determination will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping their fortunes in the months to come and also in ensuring a top-class farewell for the outgoing manager.
