Wataru Endo on the periphery but can still play important role in Liverpool success – Liverpool FC

As the one pure defensive midfielder within the squad, Wataru Endo may need been anticipated to seem extra usually than he did throughout the 2024/25 season, however regardless of restricted minutes, he nonetheless had an vital position to play.

For a participant who began only one league sport all season, it may appear unusual for Endo’s season overview to be nearly solely constructive.

In his personal, small method, although, he has been a key a part of the Liverpool squad that grew to become champions with 4 video games to spare.

His air of modesty that supporters discover endearing, coupled with a capability to do the fundamentals excellently, has contributed to him changing into considerably of a cult hero on Merseyside.

Falling out of favour

Endo performed a complete of two,848 minutes within the 2023/24 season underneath Jurgen Klopp, together with 20 begins and 1,720 minutes within the Premier League.

This dropped dramatically in 2024/25, to 865 minutes in all competitions and simply 260 minutes within the league underneath new head coach Arne Slot.

Endo racked up extra minutes from 4 appearances within the League Cup than he did from 20 appearances within the Premier League. He additionally began each FA Cup video games, together with the disappointing defeat to Plymouth.

His solely begin within the league got here in opposition to Chelsea with the title already gained, and his solely begin within the Champions League got here within the closing match of the league section, in opposition to PSV, when Liverpool’s qualification for the knockout phases was already secured.

That is much more shocking when you think about he’s the one pure defensive midfielder on the membership and there have been moments in the direction of the tip of the season when it seemed like a number of the midfield regulars had been working on empty.

Though Ryan Gravenberch did an important job within the position, particularly within the first a part of the season, there was nonetheless a transparent want for no less than a rotation choice within the No. 6 place.

Regardless of not taking part in anyplace close to the quantity of minutes he would have anticipated, and never getting used when his inclusion appeared an apparent transfer with a purpose to give others a relaxation, he did play a small however very helpful position.

Liverpool’s nearer

The dearth of begins within the Premier League and Champions League instructed that Slot didn’t belief Endo as a part of a beginning XI that might get the job achieved, however on the identical time, there was a distinct type of belief.

Endo frequently got here on late, typically very late, in video games to assist see the end result out. A few of these cameos had been with the sport already gained, however at different occasions, there was nonetheless a component of jeopardy and an opportunity the opposite staff may nick an equaliser.

You don’t deliver on a participant you don’t belief in moments like that.

His position was usually just like that of a more in-depth in baseball — a pitcher who specialises in getting into a sport late on to see out a win.

They by no means begin video games, however their job is to complete them with a win, whereas not giving the opposition an opportunity to get again into it.

It is because of this that his appearances complete within the league was nonetheless comparatively excessive (20).

That he completed the season with one of many highest factors per look totals of any Liverpool participant (2.50) suggests he carried out the job of a more in-depth fairly nicely, particularly when you think about the common starter with the very best factors per sport was Alexis Mac Allister with 2.34.

Reward from Slot

The Liverpool supervisor frequently singled Endo out for reward in his press conferences.

Generally this was as a result of there have been questions instantly about Endo from Japanese media, however on different events he did so with out being prompted.

“I feel Wata has been actually helpful for us this season,” Slot mentioned of Endo after a sport in opposition to Wolves in February.

“It’s not at all times a matter of what number of minutes you play – you will be crucial in two minutes, and you’ll be much less vital in 90 minutes.

“What makes Wata particular, for my part, is each time we have now to depend on him – if it’s 5, 10, 20 or 25 minutes – he exhibits up.”

After a sport in opposition to Newcastle in the identical month, Slot reiterated Endo’s significance and professionalism: “I admire him loads as a soccer participant but additionally as a human being as a result of irrespective of what number of minutes the staff wants him [for], he at all times exhibits up.

“The rationale why he at all times exhibits up, and that’s what makes him particular — and I’ve mentioned it just a few occasions earlier than – is gamers, and I’ve labored with many who had been in an identical scenario like him, don’t at all times discover the vitality to coach nicely the day after a sport after they didn’t have taking part in time or two days after a sport.

“But it surely doesn’t matter which day of the week it’s or if he has performed, he at all times provides his greatest in each coaching session and, on account of that, each time the staff wants him he exhibits up.”

Versatility and media reward

One other facet of Endo’s significance was versatility. He performed 229 of his 860 minutes at centre-back, and put in one in all his greatest performances of the season in a libero-like position within the League Cup in opposition to Southampton.

Wataru Endo touches (101 in complete) for Liverpool v Southampton. Attacking from proper to left. ?? https://t.co/Hy5MMOvN8P pic.twitter.com/mLqnFfaRqy

— James Nalton (@JDNalton) December 19, 2024

The stats rising from his numerous cameos additionally created a stir on social media, as he frequently posted spectacular numbers from a small variety of minutes.

The radar beneath exhibits adeptness in passing, tackling, and intercepting — the principle traits you want from a midfielder who comes on to assist see out a sport.

It’s this reliability and teamwork that Endo’s 2024/25 season shall be remembered for, and fondly remembered at that.

Greatest second: His efficiency as a centre-back in opposition to Southampton within the League Cup.

Worst second: Being a part of the Plymouth defeat within the FA Cup.

Position subsequent season: An identical position however certainly extra minutes.

* Learn all our player-by-player season opinions right here