Wataru Endo: Problem Solver
Liverpool need to secure their midfield. They also need to beef their press.
This wasn’t really an issue under Jurgen Klopp as he always had a defensive midfielder as a security measure. That was Fabinho in his greatest team - a player who sat behind two lines of the press, sweeping up anyone who managed to break through.
Liverpool do not have that anymore. In fact, their entire midfield is attacking midfielders asked to play a bit deeper. None of them are adept at breaking up play consistently behind or as part of a press.
This has made them incredibly easy to plan for. Teams know full well that going over the press or by beating one tackle, they’re assured a run at Liverpool’s back line.
So put a shield there. That shield would be Wataru Endo, the only recognised defensive midfielder in the entire squad.
Klopp used him there in his final campaign, while Arne Slot himself used Endo as a security measure at the end of games last season. Something he’s not doing this term.
But using Endo to secure the midfield is the simplest fix that Slot has not tried. Endo has just one start in the Premier League this season, playing a grand total of 107 minutes across the campaign.
The 33-year-old can provide a platform for the rest of the team to play off. He offers security to those pushing forward. But above all, his skillset is one built to fix the main problem facing this Liverpool team.
Even for just a short run, give him a chance.