The Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has admitted he has conflicting feelings in leaving Merseyside for the Asian Cup just when he had started to find his form. The Japan captain, a £16m signing from Stuttgart, started the past six matches as he deputised for the injured Alexis Mac Allister and that regular rhythm undoubtedly helped the 30-year-old find his feet after a tough introduction to English football. He was voted Liverpool’s men’s player of the month for December by supporters.
However, the New Year’s Day win over Newcastle that extended Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to three points was his last game for a month as he flies out to Qatar to begin preparations for the tournament, which begins next Friday.
Unlike Mohamed Salah, who is now away with Egypt at the African Nations Cup, when Endo returns he will have lost his place. Mac Allister has been first choice in the holding role all season.
“Of course I want to stay here but as a national team player it is important for me as I am captain. I am now focused on the national team and just doing my best,” said Endo. “I want to have good results at the Asian Cup, but that’ll mean I have to stay longer in Qatar. .
“I want to come back with the Asian Cup title. I’m confident Liverpool can do well in the absence of me and Mo.”
Endo’s arrival in mid-August meant his integration into the side took longer and, as a result, he was mainly restricted to starts in the Europa League and Carabao Cup. However, Mac Allister’s injury and a heavy December workload meant Jürgen Klopp had little option but to play him every week and that made a significant difference.
“It has been the toughest Christmas and new year in my life but to play football is amazing so I’ve enjoyed it also,” Endo said. “It’s a very tough schedule but I needed to keep playing. Playing the games is the most important way for me to improve. We have so many injured players. I was thinking, I am a very important player on the pitch so I needed to show why I came here.
“The team played well and I also played better than before and we are now top of the table so I feel I did my job. I feel like I’ve got to grips more with playing in England. Confidence is a big thing also. The manager has shown a lot of faith in me. The other players know me better now as well.”
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