Wataru Endo’s time at Liverpool may very well be coming to an finish with the midfielder not a part of Arne Slot’s long run plans in accordance with The Athletic’s Andy Jones.
Endo joined Liverpool from Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart final summer time in a deal value within the area of £15m and was anticipated to be a squad participant for the Reds.
The 31-year-old truly ended up that includes frequently below Jurgen Klopp and performed a key position as they certified for the Champions League.
Endo not a part of Slot’s plans
Nevertheless, after making 43 appearances in all competitions final season, with 29 of these coming within the Premier League Endo finds himself in a special place this season.
The midfielder is but to start out a recreation below Slot and has performed only one minute of soccer within the Premier League, while he additionally got here on for one minute within the Champions League win towards AC Milan on Tuesday night time.
Slot has most well-liked utilizing different choices to the Japan worldwide and Jones believes there are already very telling indicators that the Dutchman doesn’t need Endo as a part of his long run plans, having featured sparingly in pre-season and the beginning of the marketing campaign.
“I feel we’ve seen in pre-season, and Slot’s lack of utilization of him and the truth that finally, Liverpool determined to recruit a quantity six as properly, that he doesn’t seem like a part of Liverpool’s long run plans,” he advised The Athletic’s Stroll On podcast.
“I feel when it comes to this 12 months, now that you simply’ve received him, I feel that position of perhaps not beginning video games however to do form of the ultimate 20 minutes, the ultimate quarter-hour of a recreation when hopefully Liverpool are fairly snug to have the ability to convey him on and shore issues up.
“He can preserve the ball ticking, he can do the easy stuff, he simply isn’t actually that progressive passer, that’s the issue.”
Ryan Gravenberch , Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have all been most well-liked by Slot and with Harvey Elliott nonetheless to return from harm, Endo will likely be pushed even additional down the pecking order.
It’s no secret Liverpool are on the lookout for a quantity six having did not land Martin Zubimendi this summer time and it appears the writing is already on the wall for Endo regardless of solely being on the membership for a brief time frame.