Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo could take a pay cut and leave the club at the end of the season, a new transfer rumour has claimed.
The 32-year-old has been a popular player for the Reds since arriving from VfB Stuttgart in 2023, using his experience effectively and almost becoming a cult hero.
While Endo has struggled to be a regular starter for Liverpool this season, he has still done his bit for the cause, coming on and producing effective cameos from the substitutes’ bench.
According to Bild [via Sport Witness], it’s “not out of the question” that the Japanese could exit Anfield at the end of the season, with Eintracht Frankfurt eyeing him up.
Endo may be willing to take a pay cut to seal a move away, with the midfielder out of contract at Liverpool in the summer of 2027.
Right time for Endo to leave Liverpool?
Liverpool keeping hold of Endo would be no bad thing once the 2024/25 campaign reaches its conclusion, assuming he is content to keep playing his current squad role.
The Japan international still has enough years left in him to be an effective figure for the Reds, with Arne Slot an admirer of him, saying:
“The reason why he always shows up – and that is what makes him special, and I’ve said it a few times before – is players, and I have worked with many that were in a similar situation like him, don’t always find the energy to train well the day after a game when they didn’t have playing time or two days after a game. But it doesn’t matter which day of the week it is or if he has played, he always gives his best in every training session and, as a result of that, every time the team needs him he shows up.”
This new update suggests that Endo may like the idea of a fresh challenge, however, in order to be a regular elsewhere and it would be hard to begrudge him that.
Should he leave, Liverpool need to look at bringing in a similarly experienced head, along with another young defensive midfield option to keep competition for minutes strong next season.