"My plan is staying here" - Liverpool star shuts down Anfield exit rumours in honest admission
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has silenced rumors of discontent from his side over a lack of playing time at Anfield. The Japan national team captain has reaffirmed his commitment to the Merseyside giants.
Endo moved to Liverpool from Stuttgart in the summer of 2023 and was a key player in Jurgen Klopp's final season. After featuring regularly in his debut season at Anfield, the 31-year-old has been on the fringes under new manager Arne Slot.
Instead of throwing in the towel, Endo has insisted that he is committed to the cause and spoke about how Slot is managing his squad. Speaking to Synchronous, Endo said (via Tribal Football):
"We have a new manager and I think he wants to see every player. It is too early to judge anything."
As Liverpool are competing on four fronts, Endo believes Slot will require the entire squad at his disposal.
"A club like Liverpool needs the depth of the squad. It needs all the players to play in all these competitions and to win titles," Endo said.
"I have no idea what people are saying about me, but my plan is staying here. I have been doing what I should do and getting myself in shape," he added.
Endo has made 47 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, with just four of those coming this season.
"One of the most positive things I see in this team" - Liverpool boss Arne Slot on Endo's cameo
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revived the career of Dutch and former Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch by utilizing him in the defensive midfield role. Wataru Endo mainly played in that position last season, but Gravenberch has made a series of impressive performances as the No. 6 under Slot.
However, Slot gave a glowing review of the Japanese international he has used sparingly this season. The former Feyenoord manager spoke to the press after Endo's seven-minute cameo off the bench in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in the league before the international break.
"I think that is one of the most positive things I see in this team, that even if a player comes in five to seven minutes – such a big player, captain of his country, coming in five minutes before the end," Slot said (via This is Anfield). "I sometimes, at certain clubs or other teams, see then a player coming in a bit like ‘you only use me for five or seven minutes?’."
He spoke about Endo's impact in the little time he was on the pitch and how he exemplifies the club's team spirit.
"But if you look at how Wata came in now, how good he was on the ball but also the second balls that he won, he had only in these seven minutes a very good impact," Slot said.
"I think that tells you a lot about team cohesion, but definitely also about the person. Wata, with only playing five minutes, he gives that performance – that says a lot about him as a person," he added.