While some clubs lack leadership on the field, Liverpool stands out with five international captains in their squad. The most recent addition, Japan’s Wataru Endo, admits that his signing was unexpected but emphasizes that Jurgen Klopp’s decision to bring him in is filling the midfield void left by the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
Endo’s transfer from Stuttgart was expedited less than two weeks before the transfer window closed, following Liverpool’s unsuccessful pursuit of Moises Caicedo. At 30 years old, Endo doesn’t fit the typical profile of Liverpool’s younger signings. Nevertheless, the team remains undefeated in the four matches he has started, with another likely start at Brighton on Sunday due to Curtis Jones’s suspension.
“It was a surprise for Liverpool fans to see me come here, but the manager was very familiar with me as a player, and that was crucial,” says Endo. “I had discussions with him, and he conveyed that Liverpool, being such an attacking team, needed a defensive midfielder, a number six, which is why I came.”
Liverpool’s recent success featured a midfield trio of James Milner, Jordan Henderson, and Gini Wijnaldum, complementing the famous front three of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane. Endo’s strengths are expected to provide Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister the freedom to create.
Endo joins a dressing room filled with leaders. Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Andy Robertson (Scotland), Mo Salah (Egypt), and Szoboszlai (Hungary) are all captains of their respective national teams.
Among Endo’s international teammates is Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma. Fans in Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama will stay up late on Sunday night to watch their countrymen compete.
Endo has integrated well into the dressing room. His time in Germany has left him with a decent command of English, and his children, who attended an international school in Germany, joined him on Merseyside last week.
“The Bundesliga is also fast and physical. The difference here is that German teams tend to sit back more when they defend, while here at Liverpool, we always press high,” reflects Endo, who was a substitute in last weekend’s dramatic loss to Spurs, during which VAR failed to award Luis Diaz a legitimate goal.
“My role in the game hasn’t changed from what I did with Stuttgart and the national team. Whenever I watch a game, I pay attention to the No. 6 position and how they play.
“The first couple of games were challenging because we went down to 10 men. But I believe I’ve adapted and am showing my best on the pitch. I feel more comfortable, and it helps that my teammates are also getting to know me better.”
Klopp’s decision to substitute Endo and Mo Salah at halftime during Thursday’s Europa League victory against Union Saint-Gilloise suggests that he sees the Japanese star as a starter at the Amex.
Endo is only the 12th Japanese player to feature in the Premier League, with Mitoma and Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu being the only other current Japanese players. Sunday’s match carries significant bragging rights in the Far East.
“It will be a pleasure to face Mitoma,” says Endo. “There aren’t many Japanese players here, so fans there are interested.
“I arrived at Liverpool when I was 30, which was a big surprise. It shows all the footballers in Japan that if you keep improving, dreams can come true. I hope there is now greater respect for Japanese football. I thought Mitoma might do well here, and he has.
“Japanese Liverpool fans will stay up and watch! They want us to achieve, and we will strive to challenge for as many titles as possible.”