Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has hinted that the decision about his future at Anfield rests in his hands, while also reiterating his intention to stay at Anfield for the time being.
The Japanese international found Premier League game time hard to come by under Arne Slot last season and has attracted attention from Germany. The 32 year old Japanese international joined Liverpool during Jurgen Klopp's final summer transfer window. However, he saw less action under Klopp's successor, Slot, clocking up a mere 260 Premier League minutes in the 2024-25 season.
"I told you I'm staying!" Endo declared at a Q&A event in Kanagawa, Japan, as reported by Soccer Digest.. "If the club tells me to leave... No, I'm staying. I have a contract. It's up to me to make the final decision. Basically, I'm staying, for now."
Despite his limited playing time, he viewed the season as a success, adding, "Looking back, I think it was a good season.
"I didn't get many chances to play at Liverpool. But in the end, we won the Premier League and qualified for the World Cup with the national team, so it was a fantastic season that will set the stage for the next one.'
Back in January, Endo offered a practical outlook when queried about his limited game time. "I don't get frustrated or anything like that, I always try to get ready to help the team," he said after featuring in an FA Cup victory over Accrington Stanley.
Wataru Endo of Liverpool celebrates with the Premier League trophy
Wataru Endo celebrates with the Premier League trophy (Image: Getty Images/Getty Images For Th)
"Of course I want to play every game but we need everyone in the squad. The thing I can do is prepare for every game.
"I think we played well, the players who don't play constantly have played very well so that is the most important thing for the team to achieve something. We need everybody so we need to get ready for every game that's coming."
With two years remaining on his Liverpool contract after his 2023 transfer from Stuttgart, Endo has been linked with a move back to Germany, yet seems content to stay and make his mark at Anfield.
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Next season will see new faces join the squad alongside him. Jeremie Frimpong has already secured a switch from Bayer Leverkusen, while Florian Wirtz is close to shattering the Premier League transfer record with his impending move from the same club.
Liverpool has strengthened their goalkeeper department as well, bringing in Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer following an agreement reached last year from Valencia.
His inclusion wraps up Caoimhin Kelleher's Anfield journey, with the Irishman making the move to Brentford while the likes of Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah have been linked with moves away.