In comparing Fabinho and Wataru Endo, it is evident that Fabinho has enjoyed greater success. Fabinho is widely regarded as an exceptional defensive midfielder at the global level, whereas Endo is still working towards reaching that caliber.

With a team like Liverpool, known for their attacking style of play, the role of a defensive midfielder is crucial. In Liverpool’s successful years, players like Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino received much recognition, but Fabinho also played an equally important role. He acted as the anchor in the midfield, ensuring the team’s balance.

However, since Fabinho’s departure, Liverpool has struggled to find a suitable replacement for his position. Last summer, Jurgen Klopp attempted to fill the void with Wataru Endo, hoping that the Japanese international would perform well.

Endo has shown some potential, but it’s important to note that he is currently approaching the age of 32, which may not be ideal for playing consistently at a high intensity in the Premier League.

In terms of performance, Fabinho’s statistics surpass those of Endo. For instance, Fabinho averaged 2.1 and 2.2 successful tackles per game in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, while Endo’s average for this season is only 1.6. Similarly, Fabinho achieved an average of 1.2 and 1.1 successful interceptions per game in those seasons, significantly higher than Endo’s 0.6 interceptions per game.

While these statistics may not be the sole determining factor, they do shed light on why Liverpool’s success has declined since Fabinho’s departure.

The new leadership and coach now face the challenge of finding a worthy successor to Fabinho’s position. Relying solely on Endo in the upcoming season could be risky, considering Liverpool’s recent struggles, such as the draw against Aston Villa and the loss to Crystal Palace, as well as their elimination from the Europa League by Atalanta.

It is expected that Arne Slot, the current Feyenoord manager, will soon take over Klopp’s position. Slot will likely consider various candidates to select the ideal personnel and lay the foundation for his era at Anfield.

Given Slot’s preference for an attacking style of play, there is a clear need for a world-class defensive midfielder. Fabinho’s past contributions allowed players like Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum to freely contribute to the team’s attacking efforts.

Liverpool currently has two young and talented midfielders in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. To fully utilize their strengths, Slot will require a player who can provide defensive support. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if Liverpool’s first signing this summer is a defensive midfielder.