Wataru Endō, the Japanese midfielder, has quickly made an impression at Liverpool since his unexpected move from Stuttgart. Despite facing challenging circumstances, such as playing in a team reduced to 10 men, Endō has shown promise and adaptability in his performances. His recent displays in the Carabao Cup and Europa League have caught the attention of fans and raised excitement about his potential role in Liverpool’s upcoming matches.
Endō’s journey to Liverpool was not without surprises and the 30-year-old midfielder has had to quickly adjust to the cultural differences between the Bundesliga and the Premier League. However, he has received support from Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who was familiar with Endo’s abilities from his time at Stuttgart. Klopp recognized the need for a defensive midfielder in his team and saw Endō as a suitable candidate for that role when moves for Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia failed to come off.
“It was a surprise for Liverpool fans for me to come here, but the manager knew me very well as a player,” Endō told the ECHO. “That was a very important thing to me. After I first came here, I had some conversations with him. The manager told me that he had known of me when I was at Stuttgart. And he told me ‘We are so offensive as a team, we need a number six, a defensive midfielder’. That’s why I came here.”
Endō’s approach to the game has remained consistent, whether he was playing for Stuttgart, the Japanese national team, or now at Liverpool. He strives to give his best in every game and training session, aiming to replicate his performances from his previous clubs. The transition to Liverpool has required him to adapt to a different style of play, with high-pressing tactics being a key aspect of Klopp’s philosophy. Despite the initial challenges, Endō feels more comfortable on the pitch and believes that his adaptation is progressing well.
“The first couple of games were quite difficult because a lot of the time we were down to 10 men!” he continued. “When we’re training I just try to do my best, the intensity and physicality in England are totally different to Germany. But now I think I have adapted, and now I’m showing my best on the pitch. That is the most important thing for me.”
As a student of the game, Endō closely observes the performance of defensive midfielders in the Premier League and Champions League. He particularly admires Klopp’s style of play and had been following his matches during Klopp’s time at Borussia Dortmund. Endō’s four-year stint with Stuttgart also played a crucial role in preparing him for his current role at Liverpool. Living in Germany helped him become more comfortable with the English language, making the transition to Liverpool smoother for him and his family.
Endō’s next challenge could be facing his international teammate Kaoru Mitoma when Liverpool takes on Brighton. Mitoma has made a name for himself in the Premier League and was instrumental in Brighton’s victory over Liverpool last season. The match-up between the two Japanese players is expected to draw significant interest from fans in Japan, despite the late-night timing of the game in Asia.
Looking ahead, Endō has ambitious goals for the season. He aims to win both the Premier League and the Europa League, fulfilling the expectations of Liverpool fans. With Liverpool already in the last 16 of the League Cup and performing well in the Europa League group stage, Endō believes that challenging for titles is a real possibility for the team.
“This season, of course, I would like to win the Premier League, the Europa League also,” he said. “That is what our fans want us to achieve. That is a possibility. We want to challenge for titles as much as possible.”
Endō’s arrival at Liverpool has brought excitement and anticipation. Despite initial challenges, he has shown promise and adaptability in his performances. With Klopp’s support and his determination to succeed, Endō aims to make a significant impact at Liverpool and help the team achieve their ambitions for the season.
