Arne Slot suggests he’s about to give Liverpool player just his second start of the season vs Brighton

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Liverpool are flying under Arne Slot and have notched up 11 wins out of 13 games across all competitions under the Dutchman.

Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium was only the second they dropped points in the league, having previously suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

Liverpool now prepare to first Brighton & Hove Albion in successive games as they travel to the Amex Stadium tomorrow for a Carabao Cup clash before hosting them at Anfield on Saturday.

And Arne Slot has suggested that a player on the fringes of the Liverpool squad is all set to feature against the Seagulls.

Arne Slot tips Wataru Endo to play vs Brighton

Wataru Endo has started just one game – the 5-1 win against West Ham United in the EFL Cup – and has fallen down the pecking order this season.

However, the Japanese midfielder has been used as a substitute to see off games quite regularly and is all set to get his chance tomorrow, according to Slot.

“Wata is one of the players that might be in the line-up because the season is going to be so long and we will need him so once in a while he needs playing time,” said the Dutchman at a press conference.

“He has that with the international team but needs it with us as well. I really liked him v West Ham.

“Twice he’s had to come in five minutes before the end and sometimes I’ve seen players come in with a face on, but he shows up for his team-mates and himself. For that reason also, he deserves to play tomorrow.”

Earlier this season, Alexis Mac Allister described Endo as an ‘amazing’ player, which is a sign that he is held in high regard at the club despite his lack of game time this season.

Wataru Endo’s season so far

Signed for £16m from Stuttgart in a surprise move last summer, Endo featured regularly under Jurgen Klopp and made 44 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals.

Under Slot, however, he hasn’t featured as much as he’d have hoped, starting just one game which was in the EFL Cup when the Reds heavily rotated their squad.

​Didi Hamann feels Endo could feature regularly during the Christmas period, which might well be the case as games will come thick and fast for Liverpool across all competitions.

The Japan international is a team player if there ever was one and will look to seize his opportunity if he’s chosen to start tomorrow.

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