Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo talks about Jurgen Klopp and his support.
Let’s go back to August 2023. Liverpool bid a club-record fee and Brighton agreed to the terms. Moises Caicedo would join Jurgen Klopp and Co. as the club’s record signing if all went well. However, the Ecuadorian remained firm on his stance to join Chelsea. With interim Sporting Director Jorg Schmadtke at the helm, Liverpool turn to the Bundesliga. Stuttgart’s 30-year-old captain Wataru Endo joins the Reds for a modest fee and not a lot of expectations riding on his shoulders at that point.
Fast forward to the present. £115m Moises Caicedo of Chelsea is deadlocked by £16m Wataru Endo in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley. Jurgen Klopp can’t thank his stars enough for Caicedo to reject a move to the Reds which eventually led the Reds to sign Endo. The Japanese international has been absolutely brilliant for Liverpool, after taking a few weeks to adjust to life in the Premier League.
But once he found his feet, there was no looking back for him. Consistently putting in top-class performances week in and week out, Endo has been putting 120% on the pitch every time. The scenario was not very different at Wembley as well, as 120 minutes of hard work saw the Reds lift their 10th League Cup trophy, marking the (hopefully) first piece of silverware of Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Liverpool.
Alongside Caoimhin Kelleher and captain Virgil van Dijk, Endo was up there among the best-performing players for the Reds and dominated the middle of the park alongside Alexis Mac Allister, surely making life for Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez tough. Even though Chelsea had their moments, Liverpool were clearly the better side and Endo was everywhere. Speaking of his performance, Jurgen Klopp was full of praise, and here is what he had to say via ECHO:
“I’ve said it a couple of times, we were lucky, we bring him in and I am pretty sure in three or four years Wataru will sign another long-term contract at Liverpool because he might be 30 or 31 but he is a machine.”
“Football wise exceptional, defensive brain outstanding, gives us a lot of understanding for a lot of things. Top development. It’s just very helpful. Very helpful.”
Klopp’s praise for Endo speaks volumes about the midfielder’s impact on the team. Describing him as a “machine,” Klopp lauded Endo’s exceptional footballing abilities and defensive acumen. Endo’s astute reading of the game and tactical awareness have provided Liverpool with a crucial edge in midfield, enabling them to dictate proceedings and stifle opposition attacks.
Looking ahead, Klopp expressed confidence in Endo’s long-term future at Liverpool, envisioning him signing another long-term contract in the years to come. Despite being in his thirties, Endo’s remarkable fitness levels and insatiable hunger for success make him a valuable asset for Liverpool, both on and off the pitch.
Endo’s journey from relative obscurity to becoming a key cog in Liverpool’s midfield serves as a shining example of the club’s astute recruitment strategy and Klopp’s ability to maximise the potential of his players. As Liverpool’s quest for silverware continues, Endo’s presence will undoubtedly be crucial in shaping the team’s fortunes and cementing their legacy as one of the finest teams in world football.
As the Mighty Reds walk on, Endo’s presence will surely be crucial in the Reds’ relentless pursuit of excellence.
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