‘Meant that as a joke’… Wataru Endo reacts to what Jurgen Klopp publicly said about him recently

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Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has reacted to Jurgen Klopp’s recent comments about the Asian Cup.

Endo is currently away in Qatar as he aims to win the cup as captain of Japan. From a Liverpool point of view, it’s bad timing; the 30-year-old had been in terrific form.

As a result, Klopp made a tongue-in-cheek remark about hoping that Endo fails in his mission to win the trophy with his country.

“I said, if I wish you good luck, it would be a lie!” joked the Liverpool boss when asked if he’d had any parting words for Endo and Mohamed Salah in his pre-Arsenal press conference last week.

Asked about those comments from his manager in quotes from France24, the Japanese admitted that he’d been ‘honoured’ by the nature of Klopp’s jibe. Endo claimed that it meant that the German appreciates his value to Liverpool.

“Of course the coach meant that as a joke but I do feel very honoured that he feels I need to be back at Liverpool,” he said. “I’m here now, I’m the captain of the team and all I’m thinking about is bringing the trophy back to Liverpool.”

Endo feeling valued at Liverpool

It’s nice to hear that Endo is recognising the shift in attitude towards him at Liverpool.

While he had previously been seen as a squad player who the Reds could maybe live without, that has all changed over recent times.

Following an excellent December in which he was voted Liverpool’s Player of the Month, Endo’s reputation was enhanced no end.

As a result, fans have been left wondering just how their team are going to navigate the next month or so without him.

As far as that goes, Liverpool have managed just fine so far. An impressive FA Cup win over Arsenal last weekend was followed up with victory against Fulham on Wednesday.

With a break of more than a week now upon us, supporters don’t have to worry about that for the time being.

In the meantime they can watch Endo – and Salah – in their respective tournaments this weekend.

Japan begin their Asian Cup campaign against Vietnam tomorrow morning, while Salah’s Egypt take on Mozambique at AFCON in the evening. Good luck, lads!