What Wataru Endo has been spotted doing during pre-match warm-ups

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Over the past month or so a new star has begun to emerge at Liverpool.

A 30-year-old journeyman signed out of nowhere in the summer, Wataru Endo always had strong credentials to become a cult hero at Anfield.

But during December, the defensive midfielder has actually become a genuinely key man for the Reds. He covered more ground than anyone during Boxing Day’s trip to Burnley and has now started eight games in a row.

As captain of Japan – and formerly of Stuttgart – Endo’s status as a leader and a starter is well established. And although Liverpool already have plenty of big characters of their own, The Daily Mail claim that their new No.3 is now starting to find his place in the dressing room.

They report that Endo’s voice is ‘growing’ behind the scenes at Anfield. Having now settled in, the Japanese is said to have been spotted ‘always encouraging teammates during pre-match warm-ups and games.’

Endo is also claimed to be now ‘feeling at home’ at Liverpool having seen his family move across from Germany.

Endo comes into his own

One of the reasons Liverpool decided to surprise everyone and sign Endo this summer was surely his leadership skills.

After losing both Jordan Henderson and James Milner over the summer, a little bit of a gap had started to open up.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was another who always seemed to be in the thick of things, while Fabinho and Roberto Firmino were quiet leaders in their own way.

The Reds do still have plenty of experienced and influential players in their dressing room. Virgil van Dijk’s step up to captain has been seamless and Trent Alexander-Arnold has taken on that responsibility, too.

Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah are both captains of their respective country’s, while Alisson Becker is another who’s voice carries weight.

The addition of Dominik Szoboszlai, who is Hungary’s skipper and undisputed figurehead, was also important. Although that it isn’t a role we’ve seen him play for Liverpool too much yet.

In terms of Endo, it must have been a little daunting to come into a changing room which such storied players.

But having settled down and found his feet, it’s great to hear that he’s starting to come into his own. What a signing he’s turning out to be.