Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo is looking to win his second League Cup with Liverpool against Newcastle on Sunday
Wataru Endo has unfinished business at Wembley - because he did not get to celebrate last season's Carabao Cup final triumph over Chelsea.
Arne Slot's Japanese warrior played through the pain barrier in February 2024 when Virgil van Dijk headed a last-gasp extra-time winner to down the Blues.
Now Endo wants to do it all over again but this time, with a happier ending as he explained on his own podcast The Red Machine: "In the second half, I think it was about 20 minutes in, I twisted my ankle.
"I felt pain but for me, I was like 'I have to play until the end'. I just kept going and played all 120 minutes but I wasn't there in the dressing room after because I had to do a scan. I didn't even know the team was dancing together. The atmosphere was crazy."
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Endo has played just 137 minutes of Premier League action this season but he's been a mainstay throughout Liverpool's Carabao Cup campaign. But even if he does not start Sunday, he is ready to help the Reds deliver another piece of silverware by any means necessary.
He continued: "I've played a lot of Carabao Cup games this season which is very important for the other players that don't play much in the Premier League. If everyone is ready we can achieve a lot of things together so yes, it's a cup tournament but for the players every game is so important.
"I don't play in the Premier League much but when I play cup games, I want to win them and I'm so happy to go to the final.
Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo has been one of the unsung heroes of Liverpool's season
"Recently the manager told me what I've done this season is really amazing and really helpful for the team because even though I haven't had the chance to play a lot, when I do, I always try and give 100 per cent to help the team. The manager is very grateful for that."
Endo's all-action cameos from the bench to help see out results has seen him become a cult hero at Anfield, something he values dearly. He added: "Yeah I feel it a little bit because even this season when I play on the pitch, the Liverpool fans always try to support me and they always support me on Instagram and X as well. I think the fans love me."
Whether he plays in defensive midfield or as a centre-back, the ex-Stuttgart captain is always willing to put the team first. He feels it's important Liverpool do not underestimate Newcastle - targeting their first major trophy since 1955 - despite recently beating the Magpies 2-0 in late February.
He concluded: "Newcastle are a good team. It's going to be a tough game for sure. But every time you play a final, it's not an easy game. But we've also had a good start this season so we're just ready for that and we'll try to win the trophy. It's going to be a very exciting game in my opinion."
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