Liverpool players left in awe of stunning pass from Wataru Endo during training

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Liverpool are all geared up for another Premier League game on Saturday as Fulham head to Anfield.

The Reds looked a little rusty during Champions League action on Tuesday having sat out of the postponed Merseyside Derby last weekend.

While seeing the game cancelled was frustrating for supporters, there were certainly benefits to be had from Liverpool’s point of view.

One of them was to get some rest into the legs of players within the Liverpool squad who were perhaps featuring a little too often under Arne Slot.

Another was for the Liverpool head coach to get more time on the training pitch with his players.

This could allow some previously overlooked members of the team to shine at the Liverpool training ground. And, somewhat surprisingly, Wataru Endo looks to be standing out in that regard.

Wataru Endo wows in training

Endo has barely played for Liverpool this season. Although the 31-year-old has made 10 appearances, his time on the pitch officially amounts to just 168 minutes.

Slot wanted to sell Endo over the summer and since then it has become ever more clear that the Dutch coach just doesn’t fancy his No.3.

Nevertheless, Endo has earned praise from Slot for his attitude and application and has assumed a role of coming on late to see out tight games for Liverpool.

With the Japan captain known for his no-nonsense tackling and hard work off the ball, his quality on it is often overlooked.

READ MORE: Joe Gomez reveals honest verdict on what it’s like playing for Liverpool under Arne Slot

But Endo sent a reminder to everyone at Liverpool that he is a quality footballer with a beautiful, dinked through ball provided for Harvey Elliott to score during training on Thursday.

The pass garnered a big reaction from his teammates, with laughter and shouts of “Wa-ta-ru!” being heard. A nice moment for Endo and something we haven’t really seen from him at Liverpool.

Endo deserves first start of season

With Alexis Mac Allister still suspended for Saturday’s game, Slot has another decision to make in his midfield.

Against Girona, the boss predictably decided to go with a trio of Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai an Ryan Gravenberch.

And although he will likely do the same again, there is some argument for a change.

Slot was not happy with Liverpool on Tuesday and much of that seemed to stem from the midfield’s lack of press.

While he trusts these players, we don’t think it would be any bad thing to drop one of them out after a bad display. Endo is clearly training hard and has been good whenever given the chance this year. He got a goal in this fixture last season and a start here would be well deserved.