Forgotten Liverpool Star Could Make Shock Return Against RB Leipzig | OneFootball

Time To Bring Wataru Endō in From the Cold

What struck me most during the recent international break was not so much the level of play, but the listed captains that led their countries when not representing the Anfield giants. Below are the assets which adorned their nations armband during the recent fortnight of fixtures, something which points to a high level of leadership and maturity within the LFC stable of players.

Virgil van Dijk – Netherlands

Mohamed Salah – Egypt

Andrew Robertson – Scotland

Dominik Szoboszlai – Hungary

Wataru Endō – Japan

Ibrahima Konaté – France

Conor Bradley – Northen Ireland

When you add the reds current vice-captain, Trent Alexander Arnold, the Argentina World Cup winner, Alexis Mac Allister, and the former England under-21 captain, Curtis Jones to that list, it creates an eye watering array of leaders within the LFC group. This initial season without the red’s illustrious former manager, Jürgen Klopp, requires individuals to step up and support the new head coach, Arne Slot.

Photo: IMAGO

Though the 46-year-old Dutchman is clearly a confident and authoritative operator, he would have wanted as many on pitch lieutenants as possible to navigate his way through this early season period of change. The emergence of new leaders is always vital to regenerated success, however, certain games will need fringe players to step up and ensure continuity, even amidst rotation.

Which Player Can Emerge During This Autumn Period?

I never tend to look too far ahead in footballing terms, especially when considering Liverpool and their hectic schedule of fixtures. What I do try to consider is the short-term alterations that may be forthcoming within the next batch of games. After overcoming a free scoring Chelsea on Sunday afternoon (securing a solid 2-1 win), the reds would have immediately prepared for their trip to Germany to face RB Leipzig.

Given that several reds (past and present) have played for the impressive RB outfit, there will be a keen eye on which German based players could face off against Liverpool and those that might try and impress in front of the six-time European champions. My own concern would not be which auditions may take place, rather those that are ideally suited to represent the visitors, Liverpool, during their midweek travels. Given that the next Premier League outing is a daunting trip to North London (on Sunday afternoon), that upcoming contest against Arsenal must take priority over all else.

Mikel Arteta will be without the suspended William Saliba, as well as the continuing injury absentee, Martin Ødegaard. Arsenal’s weekend loss to Bournemouth was also undertaken without Bukayo Saka, who returned from England duty with a thigh injury, therefore, the opportunity to go to the Emirates and target maximum points must be something that Arne Slot will have considered. As for last season’s Premier League runners up, Shakhtar Donetsk have now travelled to face Arteta’s side on Tuesday evening (in their own Champions League tie), which means both English teams have European selection choices to make.

My prediction on the line up is listed below, for the reds match against RB Leipzig.

Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah, Virgil van Dijk (c), Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endō, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz

If there is any chance of a start for the Italian recruit, Federico Chiesa, I would prefer him ahead of the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, however, his injury issues may not permit a European appearance this week. Regarding the remainder of the group, I feel like a return to the starting lineup for the former Stuttgart enforcer, Wataru Endō, would allow Ryan Gravenberch a rest from first team action, essentially ahead of the weekends titanic encounter.

Photo: IMAGO

As the hybrid central midfielder, he and Alexis Mac Allister have both operated as a superb double pivot with a skill set somewhere between the no.6 and no.8 positions. Curtis Jones still requires game time (after his injury issues) and can also operate in that bespoke role, therefore with the future England international and the Argentina superstar operating as pure no.8’s, that would allow the reds 31-year-old, Wataru Endō, to step in as a pure holding midfielder.

His own wealth of experience can allow others to push on, as he shields a much-changed defensive line and more fluid operators ahead of him. Sometimes a more simplistic and blunter object is needed within these tricky away encounters, which allows the former veteran of the Bundesliga a perfect opportunity to show his worth.

With an assured effort and solidity in his performances, the 65-cap Japan skipper can become a perfect alternative within the upcoming midweek encounters. After Wednesday’s trip to face RB Leipzig and the weekend trip to Arsenal, another midweek cup tie will undertake against Brighton, on their own home turf, something which should also involve the specialist enforcer.

The need for more rotation is now upon us and despite the periodization in training that is being carried out, the management of playing minutes still need to be carefully monitored. I hope to see substantial changes made for the game at the Red Bull Arena, as well as a full quota of substitutions within.

As part of that alteration heavy dynamic, the presence of the ball winning, gum shield wearing, mass of energy, Endō, should be present for the entirety this midweek, as well as the next. I would also endorse solid minutes for Tyler Morton in these games, as a player that can drop effortlessly into the middle ground and take on the requirements demanded by his teammates and boss.