As the one pure defensive midfielder within the squad, Wataru Endo might need been anticipated to seem extra typically than he did through the 2024/25 season, however regardless of restricted minutes, he nonetheless had an necessary position to play.
For a participant who began only one league recreation all season, it may appear unusual for Endo’s season evaluate to be nearly fully constructive.
In his personal, small means, although, he has been a key a part of the Liverpool squad that turned champions with 4 video games to spare.
His air of modesty that supporters discover endearing, coupled with a capability to do the fundamentals excellently, has contributed to him turning into considerably of a cult hero on Merseyside.
WATARU ENDO, 2024/25
Began: 7 (All competitions)
On instead: 25
Unused sub: 23
Objectives: 0
Assists: 0
Total Season Ranking: 7
Falling out of favour
Endo performed a complete of two,848 minutes within the 2023/24 season beneath Jurgen Klopp, together with 20 begins and 1,720 minutes within the Premier League.
This dropped dramatically in 2024/25, to 865 minutes in all competitions and simply 260 minutes within the league beneath new head coach Arne Slot.
Endo racked up extra minutes from 4 appearances within the League Cup than he did from 20 appearances within the Premier League. He additionally began each FA Cup video games, together with the disappointing defeat to Plymouth.
His solely begin within the league got here towards Chelsea with the title already gained, and his solely begin within the Champions League got here within the remaining match of the league part, towards PSV, when Liverpool’s qualification for the knockout levels was already secured.
That is much more stunning when you think about he’s the one pure defensive midfielder on the membership and there have been moments in the direction of the top of the season when it regarded like a few of the midfield regulars have been working on empty.
Although Ryan Gravenberch did an excellent job within the position, particularly within the first a part of the season, there was nonetheless a transparent want for at the very least a rotation choice within the No. 6 place.
Regardless of not enjoying anyplace close to the quantity of minutes he would have anticipated, and never getting used when his inclusion appeared an apparent transfer with a purpose to give others a relaxation, he did play a small however very helpful position.
Liverpool’s nearer
The dearth of begins within the Premier League and Champions League recommended that Slot didn’t belief Endo as a part of a beginning XI that might get the job achieved, however on the similar time, there was a unique type of belief.
Endo often got here on late, typically very late, in video games to assist see the consequence out. A few of these cameos have been with the sport already gained, however at different instances, there was nonetheless a component of jeopardy and an opportunity the opposite staff might nick an equaliser.
You don’t deliver on a participant you don’t belief in moments like that.
His position was typically just like that of a more in-depth in baseball — a pitcher who specialises in coming into a recreation late on to see out a win.
They by no means begin video games, however their job is to complete them with a win, whereas not giving the opposition an opportunity to get again into it.
It is because of this that his appearances complete within the league was nonetheless comparatively excessive (20).
That he completed the season with one of many highest factors per look totals of any Liverpool participant (2.50) suggests he carried out the job of a more in-depth fairly effectively, particularly when you think about the common starter with the very best factors per recreation was Alexis Mac Allister with 2.34.
Reward from Slot
The Liverpool supervisor often singled Endo out for reward in his press conferences.
Generally this was as a result of there have been questions immediately about Endo from Japanese media, however on different events he did so with out being prompted.
“I believe Wata has been actually helpful for us this season,” Slot stated of Endo after a recreation towards Wolves in February.
“It’s not at all times a matter of what number of minutes you play – you will be essential in two minutes, and you’ll be much less necessary in 90 minutes.
“What makes Wata particular, for my part, is each time we’ve to depend on him – if it’s 5, 10, 20 or 25 minutes – he reveals up.”
After a recreation towards Newcastle in the identical month, Slot reiterated Endo’s significance and professionalism: “I admire him loads as a soccer participant but in addition as a human being as a result of regardless of what number of minutes the staff wants him (for), he at all times reveals up.
“The rationale why he at all times reveals up, and that’s what makes him particular — and I’ve stated it a couple of instances earlier than – is gamers, and I’ve labored with many who have been in an identical scenario like him, don’t at all times discover the power to coach effectively the day after a recreation after they didn’t have enjoying time or two days after a recreation.
“Nevertheless it doesn’t matter which day of the week it’s or if he has performed, he at all times offers his greatest in each coaching session and, because of that, each time the staff wants him he reveals up.”
Versatility and media reward
One other facet of Endo’s significance was versatility. He performed 229 of his 860 minutes at centre-back, and put in one in all his greatest performances of the season in a libero-like position within the League Cup towards Southampton.
Wataru Endo touches (101 in complete) for Liverpool v Southampton. Attacking from proper to left. ?? https://t.co/Hy5MMOvN8P pic.twitter.com/mLqnFfaRqy
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) December 19, 2024
The stats rising from his numerous cameos additionally created a stir on social media, as he often posted spectacular numbers from a small variety of minutes.
The radar under reveals adeptness in passing, tackling, and intercepting — the primary traits you want from a midfielder who comes on to assist see out a recreation.
It’s this reliability and teamwork that Endo’s 2024/25 season can be remembered for, and fondly remembered at that.
Greatest second: His efficiency as a centre-back towards Southampton within the League Cup.
Worst second: Being a part of the Plymouth defeat within the FA Cup.
Function subsequent season: An identical position however absolutely extra minutes.
* Learn all our player-by-player season opinions right here
