Jurgen Klopp admits something is annoying him about ‘very important’ Liverpool player now

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted to some frustration over Wataru Endo having to leave for the Asian Cup.

Endo has been terrific for Liverpool over the past couple of weeks. Having started four games in the past ten days, the Japanese even put in a Man of the Match display against Burnley last night.

After an initial struggle to get up to speed, the Japan international is turning out to be a really good signing.

And speaking about Endo during yesterday’s post-match press conference, Klopp claimed that it’s now a ‘shame’ that the 30-year-old has to head off for international duty.

“I loved this game, I have to say,” beamed the Liverpool manager. “It’s a bit of a shame how he found his feet and now he goes to the Asian Cup but that’s how it is, it’s fine. What a boy and what a player and very important.

“At least in January we have to play more or less without him but against Newcastle he is still here. Then the boys leave and then we have to find another way and we will. But for the moment, I am really happy for him. It took him a little bit [of time] that he really showed how good he really is, but now we can see it and I’m really happy about that.”

Klopp rues Endo departure

If you’d have asked Liverpool supporters even a month ago about Endo leaving in January, most would merely have shrugged.

But in December, the former Stuttgart man has raised his game considerably.

It all started with a superb goal to bring the Reds level against Fulham right at the start of the month. Since that game-changing cameo from the bench, Endo has started each of Liverpool’s seven subsequent games.

He hasn’t always been brilliant. The No.3 was hauled off at half-time against Crystal Palace in perhaps his worst display to date.

But that blip aside, Endo has shown that he was absolutely worth Liverpool taking a punt on him last summer.

With the Asian Cup running from January 12 until February 10th, there’s a chance that the Japanese could miss up to seven games for the Reds.

Mohamed Salah’s AFCON enforced absence will obviously hit Liverpool a little harder. But right now, the blow from the unavailability of Endo is almost as big.

Alexis Mac Allister should be back to soften the disappointment for Klopp and the Reds fans. Nevertheless, they’ve grown to love Endo, and that’s testament to him.