View: Arne Slot must use Wataru Endo or Liverpool title challenge will falter
Wataru Endo has featured for just 20 minutes in the Premier League for Liverpool so far this season.
The Japan international has been limited to just two starts in the Carabao Cup in Arne Slot’s first season as Reds boss.
That is a stark contrast to last season, when he made 43 appearances under Jurgen Klopp with 34 of them coming in the starting XI.
Ryan Gravenberch’s form has meant that Endo has found opportunities hard to come by, however, he must feature on a more regular occasion or the Reds risk running their midfielders into the ground and therefore damaging their Premier League title chances.
Wataru Endo can help Liverpool
The Merseysiders looked exhausted in the 3-3 draw with Newcastle on Wednesday (4 December) and the midfield was no exception.
Dutch midfielder Gravenberch has been in sensational form this season and has not missed a Premier League or Champions League contest so far.
However, that showed at St James’ Park as the 22-year-old had considerably the worst performance of his season to date.
The 31-year-old Japan international should have been introduced in the latter stages to try and help the Reds maintain the lead as he was in the 3-2 victory over Southampton a few weeks ago (24 November).
The 67-cap international may not be compatible with what Slot demands from his holding midfielders but his work-rate, discipline and energy will benefit the Reds if they utilise him to rest Gravenberch.
He can still be a valuable asset to Slot in the coming weeks, the Dutchman just needs to trust him, especially with six matches in 22 days.
In other Liverpool news, Darwin Nunez is expected to be dropped when the Reds travel to Everton.
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