Jurgen Klopp shares what he noticed about Wataru Endo during the Carabao Cup trophy lift today

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There were heroes all over the pitch for Liverpool during today’s Carabao Cup final.

Even amid all of their injury troubles, the Reds out there on the pitch stepped up over and over again. As youngsters emerged from the bench, a number of Liverpool’s more senior players became real beacons for their teenaged teammates.

Of course, the leader in all of this was the irrepressible Virgil van Dijk. And how the big man stepped up. But so too did Wataru Endo. Fantastic in his deep-lying midfield role, Endo tackled and fought his way to a first trophy at Liverpool.

It was a heck of a shift from the 31-year-old, and in quotes via journalist Fabrizio Romano after the game, Jurgen Klopp says that it showed during the trophy presentation at the end of the game.

“Wataru Endo, oh my God!” exclaimed the Liverpool manager. “What a guy, what a player.

“He walked through the ceremony with the stiffest legs I ever saw.”

Endo becomes latest fitness issue

While Klopp sounded like he was joking, there has since been a slightly less amusing update about Endo.

Liverpool’s No.3 was spotted walking through the mixed zone on crutches and wearing a protective boot after the match.

With all the injuries they have at the moment, that is absolutely the last thing the Reds need right now. The midfield and forward line have been completely decimated.

More than that though, Endo has quickly become one of Liverpool’s most important players.

His combative nature and unassuming personality were always going to win him fans within the Reds support. But now that his performances on the pitch have grown to match that, he is a downright hero.

With others around him going down, it would have been nice to have the Japan captain fit and available. He really adds a nice balance, whoever is around him.

Hopefully there is some positive news about his state to come. There is obviously the possibility that the crutches were merely a precaution.

Either way, it seems impossible that Endo will be involved midweek against Southampton.

If it is just to shake off some stiff muscles then he’s really earned his rest. Anything more serious than that and it’ll be time to worry. Still, for this evening, it’s time to celebrate. What a performance, Watar!