Endo’s Asian Cup Departure Leaves Liverpool Missing Key Midfielder

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Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has expressed his disappointment in leaving Anfield to participate in the Asian Cup.

The Reds’ controversial decision to invest £16m in the 30-year-old during the summer initially puzzled many fans.

However, despite a slow start, the Japan international has proven himself as a pivotal player under Jurgen Klopp.

Having featured in Liverpool’s last six Premier League games and earning acclaim, Endo’s positive momentum is temporarily interrupted due to his involvement in the Asian Cup.

Success for Japan in the tournament may lead to him missing over a month of Premier League action.

“Of course I want to stay [at Liverpool] but as a national team player it is important for me as I am captain,” Endo said. “I am now focused on the national team and just doing my best.

“I want to have good results at the Asian Cup, but that’ll mean I have to stay longer in Qatar. But Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] has come back now, so I can just stay focused on the national team. I’m sure [Liverpool] will play well, 100%.

“I want to come back with the Asian Cup title. I’m confident Liverpool can do well in the absence of me and Mo [Salah].”

In expressing gratitude for his integration into the squad, Endo credited manager Jurgen Klopp and his teammates for instilling confidence in him.

“It has been the toughest Christmas and New Year in my life but to play football is amazing so I’ve enjoyed it also,” he reflected. “It’s a very tough schedule but I needed to keep playing. Playing the games is the most important way for me to improve.

“We have so many injured players. I was thinking, ‘I am a very important player on the pitch’, so I needed to show why I came here.

“I think the team played well and I also played better than before and we are now top of the table so I feel I did my job. I feel like I’ve got to grips more with playing in England.

“Confidence is a big thing also. The manager has shown a lot of faith in me. The other players know me better now as well, that’s also important for me to play better.”

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