The performances of Liverpool’s Japanese midfielder, Endo, in recent weeks have been an absolute joy to watch. Stepping in to fill the void left by the injured Mark Alister, who was in excellent form for the Reds before his unfortunate ιnjury during their Premier League victory against Sheffield United, Endo had some fans skeptical about his ability to adequately fill the gap.
However, the Japanese warrior not only seamlessly integrated into the team, but he also reminded fans why he was signed from Stuttgart for a fee of approximately £16.2 million (19 million euros). He has truly earned his manager’s trust by becoming a crucial component of Liverpool’s more controlled performances.
When Liverpool signed Endo in August, it raised more than a few eyebrows. Many had never heard of him, and even those who were aware of his talents were surprised that Liverpool deemed him worthy of wearing the famous red shirt. However, Endo has proven the doubters wrong with his impressive displays on the pitch.
In the absence of Mac Allister due to ιnjury, Endo started five games in just 13 days during the busy festive period, a feat that no outfield player for the club had achieved since January 2006. His standout performance in the 2-0 victory against Burnley on Boxing Day drew particular praise from his manager, who expressed his admiration for Endo’s game.
In Premier League matches where Endo has played, Liverpool has won 11 out of 15 (73.3%), scoring an impressive 34 goals (an average of 2.3 goals per game) and earning an average of 2.4 points per game. His defensive abilities have allowed players like Alexander Arnold to push forward, which has been evident in Liverpool’s recent matches.
While Endo initially had a slow start to life at Liverpool, with some early performances being underwhelming, Jurgen Klopp had faith in him and stuck with him. Now, the holding midfielder has become one of the most consistent and reliable members of the starting XI. His contributions to the team have been invaluable, and he continues to prove himself as a crucial asset for Liverpool.
