Wataru Endo opens up on Liverpool snubs as Arne Slot invites new opportunity
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Wataru Endo would have a right to be frustrated. The arrival of Arne Slot has been positive for most at Liverpool. The Dutchman has the Reds fighting for trophies on four fronts after all. Endo, 31, wasn't ever present under Jurgen Klopp but he started 20 Premier League games in his debut campaign in England after arriving from Stuttgart.
This season under Slot he has started none. His appearances limited to the Cup competitions, like here during Saturday’s four-goal romp against League Two Accrington Stanley. The Japan international deputised at centre-back and showed his versatility. While Slot clearly prefers slicker midfielders to the combative Endo, there will be opportunities in the second half of the season.
Not just for Endo but for the likes of Federico Chiesa - who capped a second-half display with his first goal for the club - as well as Jarrel Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas and Harvey Elliott as all had a chance to impress in a much-changed team. "I don't get frustrated or anything like that, I always try to get ready to help the team,” said Endo. “Of course I want to play every game but we need everyone in the squad. The thing I can do is prepare for every game.
“I think we played well, the players who don't play constantly have played very well so that is the most important thing for the team to achieve something. We need everybody so we need to get ready for every game that's coming.”. Diogo Jota, who is still getting back to full fitness, scored the opener when he tapped in Darwin Nunez’s cross before Trent Alexander-Arnold, captain for the day, fired in a stunner before the break. Jayden Danns got his third FA Cup goal at just 18 when he scored late on before Chiesa capped his display with a fine finish from 20 yards in stoppage time.
