This summer, Wataru Endo has reaffirmed his intention to remain at Liverpool. After Arne Slot was hired as head coach last season, the Japan international was only able to play a bit-part role at Anfield.
Under the Dutchman, the 32-year-old made 32 appearances across all competitions, but he only made seven starts. He only made one start in the English top flight, away at Chelsea, and that was only after the Reds had already won the Premier League, even though he still contributed to the team’s victory.
Endo, however, has no intention of leaving Liverpool despite his limited playing time and is adamant about remaining this summer.
According to Soccer Digest, he declared, “I told you I’m staying!” at a live Q&A session in his hometown of Kanagawa. “If I’m told to leave the club…
“No, I intend to stay. I’m bound by a contract. I have the last say in the matter. In essence, I’m staying for the time being.
In retrospect, I believe it was a successful season. At Liverpool, I didn’t get many chances to play.
“However, it was a fantastic season that will lead to next season because we won the Premier League and made it to the World Cup with the national team.”
Endo is determined to play a bigger role next season, even though Slot may have preferred to use him to help finish games last season.
He acknowledged that there are preferences in addition to the manager’s style. Ultimately, you should consider what you can accomplish in the space you have been given.
“You have to demonstrate the purpose of your life in the workplace. If I had entered the game with ten or fifteen minutes remaining and consistently gave up runs, I doubt that anyone would have referred to me as a closer.
“I eventually won this closer position in the position I was in.” This season, I found my purpose in life because I was able to fulfill the role assigned to me and earn the title of closer.
“There won’t be any issues starting in the upcoming season if we can demonstrate that Endo can play as a closer, even if he is in the starting lineup.
“I think there’s a high possibility that I’ll play in various positions in the future, so I think it’ll be fine if we can carry that over to the next stage.”
Last month, Endo made it clear that he intended to remain at Liverpool, and with his most recent admission, he reaffirmed that intention.
“Transfer rumors are something I’ve heard about. In an interview with former teammate Tomoaki Makino for Abema Times, he acknowledged that everyone was talking about it. Even my family asks me, ‘So what are you going to do?’ when my friends get in touch with me.
“Yes, other players do occasionally inquire, ‘Are you coming back next year?'” particularly after the season’s midpoint. However, I simply state, “I’m staying as far as I’m concerned.”