‘Valuable’ – National media rave about Liverpool ace Wataru Endo in Japan win v China
Japanese media have raved about Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo for his performance for Japan in the 7-0 win against China.
The 31-year-old captained his nation to a resounding victory on Thursday [5 September] as Japan started their Asia World Cup qualifying campaign in winning fashion.
Endo was exceptional at the Saitama Stadium. He opened the scoring for his side before he was replaced by Ao Tanaka on 71 minutes.
Reacting to his performance, Japanese outlet Football Zone handed him an 8/10 rating, writing: “He scored a valuable opening goal. He didn’t seem to be lacking playing time at his club.”
Another Japanese outlet Sponichi also recognised the captain’s impact: “Wataru Endo sparked the seven-goal victory. Kubo’s high-precision kick was met by Endo, who was free in the middle, he shook the net with his head.”
Wataru Endo is determined to make his mark at Liverpool
While Endo will have his place in the Japan national team for the foreseeable future, the same cannot be said at club level with Liverpool.
The emergence of Ryan Gravenberch this season as the anchor of the Reds midfield has resigned Endo to one cameo appearance against Brentford in the opening three Premier League matches.
He defied expectation last term following his move from Stuttgart in the summer, and what was supposed to be a stop-gap signing for the number six spot became a shrewd acquisition as Endo played a vital role in helping the Reds win the Carabao Cup and compete in four competitions throughout the season.
However, he was one of the main culprits for the collapse at the business end of the season as Jurgen Klopp saw his side limp out of the Premier League title race and crash out of the FA Cup and Europa League in a matter of weeks.
Endo was the subject of a bid from Marseille this summer [The Athletic] which the club rejected and his future remains a cause for concern even after the 30 August deadline.
With Stefan Bajcetic departing to spend the season with RB Salzburg, that leaves only Endo and Tyler Morton to challenge Gravenberch in the side. While the Japanese midfielder may be a bit-part player this season, he can still have an impact for Liverpool.
Arne Slot will call upon Endo’s experience as a beloved member of the Liverpool dressing room to help spur on his side in his first season in charge at Anfield and he will be called to start more often than it may seem this season with an intense fixture schedule awaiting the Reds after the international break.
In other Liverpool news, Dan Bardell shares his ‘mad’ transfer verdict for the Reds.
For more Liverpool women news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.