The match between Liverpool and Manchester City (1-1) in the 2023/24 Premier League week 28 continues with various dramas. Starting from the clash of words between Man City coach Pep Guardiola and star player Kevin de Bruyne, efforts to win first place in the Premier League standings, to the color of farewell between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.
As is known, Klopp chose to end his contract with Liverpool and with that next season, the German coach may not take part in the Premier League. Behind these situations, one of the players who attracted public attention was Wataru Endo. The player who plays as an anchor midfielder appeared solid, energetic and active throughout the 90 minutes of the match which took place at Anfield Stadium.
Inevitably, Man City midfielders such as Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri and John Stones seemed to bend their knees in front of Endo’s solidity and aggressiveness.
After the match, Klopp did not hesitate to acknowledge Endo’s quality and assessed that the Japanese player’s performance was aimed at becoming a world class player.
Looking back, Endo’s transfer in August last year from German Bundesliga club Stuttgart raised eyebrows among many parties. Who and why choose Endo? Not many people know the track record of the Japanese national team captain. Moreover, Endo’s recruitment occurred when Liverpool failed to get two main targets, namely Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Caicedo and Lavia are more highly valued because both of them are active in the Premier League and are familiar with Liverpool supporters. Hence, both are more desirable. However, the two young players chose Chelsea rather than agreeing to Liverpool’s proposal.
Caicedo and Lavia are actually Liverpool’s main targets to fill the defensive midfield sector which was one of Liverpool’s problems last season. Endo’s name is not on Liverpool’s target list.
Apparently, Liverpool, who were facing a transfer deadline and urgent needs in the defensive midfielder sector, had to choose Endo. As a result, Endo was like a third choice, who did not necessarily get the main place because at the same time Liverpool also landed three other midfielders.
Endo’s advantage is that the three other midfielders Liverpool bought are more of the attacking midfielder and playmaker type. Therefore, when Alexis Mac Allister was played as a defensive midfielder, the player from Argentina appeared inconsistent.
It’s very different when Mac Allister plays as an attacking midfielder. His quality comes out and he can make a big contribution to Liverpool’s attack line. This situation also indirectly paved the way for Endo in the defensive midfield sector. This is not an easy step for the number 3 player at Liverpool because in the first matches, Endo was chosen as a substitute.
Trust begins to strengthen as time goes by. Klopp did not turn a blind eye to Endo’s quality by continuing to provide a place for the 30 year old player. As a result, Endo has played 20 matches in the Premier League and is the main choice, including in important matches.
Long story short, Endo has become Klopp’s regular choice in the anchor midfielder sector. Endo, who was the third choice on Liverpool’s transfer list, has also received recognition from the Anfield public.
Obviously, Klopp’s statement that Endo has built his status as a world-class player is not an exaggeration. Endo was one of the players who performed solidly when playing against Man City.
In fact, Liverpool’s solid performance against Man City is just one example of Endo’s quality. Endo also attracted attention when Liverpool won the Carabao Cup by beating Chelsea. Endo appeared solid until extra time, and even then he had to limp.
Therefore, playing Endo against Man City was Klopp’s right choice. Guardiola’s plan failed miserably in the face of Endo’s solidity. Midfielders like De Bruyne and Rodri failed to develop the game.
Endo recorded 96 percent accurate passes, won 6 of 7 duels with Man City players and made several tackles which succeeded in cutting off the Man City players’ ball flow.
Endo’s performance was reminiscent of Ngolo d’ Kante’s style when Chelsea won the Champions League three years ago when playing against Manchester City. Kante ran non-stop throughout the match and influenced the ball flow of Man City players.
The exact same scenario was played by Endo. As a result, De Bruyne’s creativity was blocked. Rodri and Stones also failed to supply the ball accurately to the attacking midfielder.
Obviously, Guardiola had to replace Bruyne in the 69th minute. Because of this situation, De Bruyne and Guardiola appeared to be arguing in the players’ stands when they were substituted.
Endo’s sensation shone brightly when Liverpool playing against Man City. The player who was bought by Liverpool for 16 million euros from Stuggart has also proven his quality not as a third choice player, but as a player who has moved towards world class in the hands of Jurgen Klopp.
ASL
