InterviewWataru Endo on his midfield role, Minamino talks and the brilliance of Alisson

The Japan captain arrived at Anfield in a summer transfer from VfB Stuttgart and has made five appearances, including two starts, for his new club to date.

Following the Reds’ 3-1 victory over West Ham United on Sunday, during which Endo came off the bench late on, Jürgen Klopp labelled him a ‘super-important’ part of his squad and the No.3 has offered an insight into the attributes he looks to bring to the team.

“I am always conscious about whether I can be in the best position both defensively and offensively,” Endo told the club’s official matchday programme.

“When we are attacking, I see if I can be between the opponents’ forwards and midfielders, or I think how they are trying to put pressure on us. Every team has a system. I try to see which player tries to put pressure on me and change my position based on what I see – and change where to move the ball to.

“It is the same for defence. I see how the opponents move a ball in their system and think how I defend when a particular player makes a move. I always think about these things while playing.”

Endo follows Takumi Minamino as the second Japanese player to represent Liverpool’s men’s team and he spoke to his compatriot, who made 55 appearances across two-and-a-half years at Anfield before leaving in the summer of 2022, about the club.

He said: “Yes, I got in touch with him. We spoke on the phone and he congratulated me on joining the club.

“We spoke about what Liverpool is like, and some things like that. He didn’t give me specific advice but said congratulations and that there were some Japanese staff in Liverpool as well.”

Endo went on to praise the ability of his new teammates and namechecked one who has particularly impressed him: “All the players have very high skills here and among them I think the goalkeeper Alisson is great.

“I have played with a lot of ’keepers but his ability to stop shots is excellent. Of course, the forward players have very high skills and the other players are very skilful as well, but Alisson’s ability to stop shots is brilliant.

“He saves the team from dangerous situations and he is very powerful.”