Liverpool had been working to acquire young midfielders with experience playing in the Premier League, such as Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, but both players chose to move to Chelsea.
The search for a defensive midfielder appeared to be a difficult one, but they quickly acquired Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo to round out their lineup.
Although the Bundesliga club was highly regarded for its dueling prowess, this reinforcement was questioned by those around him due to his age and the fact that his club was fighting for the relegation zone. He was also an unknown player to many English people, and the unknowns accelerated the doubts.
Although he has been at times confused by the team’s tactics and the unique speed of the Premier League, he has shown his true potential through the Europa League and cup competitions. Former Ireland defender Damien Delany said he feels the player has matured.
“Yes, they’re still lacking a number six, but I liked what I saw from Endo tonight he’s starting to resemble what looks like a top class number six midfield player. He’s getting quicker in possession, defensively he’s very good. He might grow as the season goes on,”
“He’s obviously very fit and very committed, when I first saw him I thought he was a bit ponderous at times, in possession there’s a huge demand on you, he’s the bridge, you need to be quick and add tempo, the first few games it got stuck under his feet and he played backwards too often, you have to go up a level, but I saw a bit in him tonight, one or two touch play and some crunching tackles too.”
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With Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who has been out of his element since the start of the Premier League season, playing at the bottom of midfield, and 19-year-old midfielder Stefan Bajcetic struggling to adjust to the conditions, there is much to be expected from the captain of the Japanese team.
Will Endo be able to show more success and secure a regular place in the Liverpool team?