Wataru Endo has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool despite being linked with a move away
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Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz celebrate with the Premier League trophy during an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win
Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz celebrate with the Premier League trophy during an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win
(Image: AFP)
Wataru Endo has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool despite finding himself on the fringes under Arne Slot this season. The Japan international started just once in the Premier League as the Reds finished the season as champions, with Ryan Gravenberch emerging as the club’s first-choice holding midfielder.
The 32-year-old’s future has been the subject of scrutiny, while Liverpool previously rejected a bid from Marseille for his services last summer.
Meanwhile, the Reds are set to enjoy a busy transfer window. Having already agreed deals to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili and Jeremie Frimpong, they are also in talks with Bayer Leverkusen regarding a club-record move for Florian Wirtz and are also interested in Milos Kerkez of AFC Bournemouth.
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Endo is well-aware of the ongoing transfer speculation, but believes that remaining at Liverpool is currently best for his career.
"I've heard about it (transfer speculation). Everyone's talking about it,” he admitted in an interview with former team-mate Tomoaki Makino for Abema Times. “My friends contact me, even my family is like, ‘so what are you going to do?’
“And yeah, sometimes other players ask too: ‘Are you going to be here next year?’ Especially after the middle of the season. But I just say, ‘as far as I’m concerned, I’m staying.’”
Makino quizzed Endo further on his future, asking if he was more interested in playing for Liverpool than moving on and whether he expects to remain at Anfield next season.
And while the midfielder was unable to offer long-term reassurances, he insisted he wants to stay put with the Reds and win further honours after lifting the Premier League trophy.
"Well, yes (I am more interested in playing for Liverpool than leaving). I think Liverpool is a club that is worth that much,” he said. “If you ask me if I want to throw away the chance to play for Liverpool and move to another team, the answer is no.
“I believe that focusing on how many titles I can win with Liverpool will be the best thing in my career. Yes, you can expect that (me to stay with Liverpool). For now."
However, Endo also conceded he had not been satisfied with his bit-role this season, though he was utilised more frequently to help close games out as the campaign went on, as he paid tribute to the Liverpool fanbase for their support.
“I was very happy that we kept winning in the midst of a string of very tough games and were able to win like this,” he said. "(My role) became like a part of the team towards the end.
“When we were winning, I would come on at the end and make sure we brought home the three points. In a way, it was a role that I earned for myself.
“I kept thinking about how I could contribute to the team in the situation I was in. Of course, I'm not satisfied, but I think it's one way of contributing to the title.
“Throughout this season, Liverpool fans have been aware of my situation of not getting many playing opportunities.
“But I really felt that they were really supporting me, and it was good to see the Liverpool fans happy."
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Meanwhile, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently praised Endo, when asked who his favourite Japanese players were by Red Bull Japan.
First choosing Shinji Kagawa and former Reds forward Takumi Minamino, the German also selected the current Liverpool midfielder when admitting he has three favourites.
“Just before I finished my career, I had the honour and opportunity to work with your captain, with Wataru Endo,” he explained. “The perfect professional, a wonderful man and I loved working together with him.
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“My first club, first love in Germany was VfB Stuttgart because I am from that region. He was the captain of them as well, so we share a lot of similarities.”