Liverpool booked their ticket to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win against Southampton.
Arne Slot opted to heavily rotate the starting XI with the Dutch coach having one eye on Sunday’s massive Premier League clash against Tottenham, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch given the night off.
With Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo impressing for Liverpool, though, it was a good night for the Reds’ fringe players, with the Anfield side once again in a good position to go all the way and win the Carabao Cup.
And Slot has signalled out one Liverpool player for praise after their display against the Saints.
Wataru Endo handed ‘big compliment’ after Liverpool performance vs Southampton
Speaking to the press after Liverpool’s win, Slot highlighted Endo’s performance for the Reds, with the £16m Japanese international playing at centre-back alongside Jarell Quansah with the Merseyside giants lacking numbers in the position.
With Liverpool players recently left in awe by Endo in training, the former VfB Stuttgart star showed why he could be a useful asset for the Reds despite hardly featuring for Slot this season, with the midfielder having to wait for his chances.
And the 31-year-old did just that last night at St. Mary’s, with Slot impressed with what he saw from Endo as the midfielder gave a good account for himself playing in central defence, giving the Liverpool coach another potential option in the position.
Slot said about Endo’s performance: “If I have to give someone a big compliment it should be Wata Endo because in a different position playing such a good game in these circumstances, that shows you what a quality player he is, but mainly maybe what kind of mentality and personality he has.”
Endo could still leave Liverpool despite top performance vs Southampton
With ten appearances in all competitions this season and just 168 minutes of football played, it’s no surprise that Endo has been linked with a move away from Liverpool heading into the January transfer window.
And even after last night’s top performance against Southampton, there still seems to be a strong chance that the former Bundesliga star could call it quits at Anfield with Endo’s playing time unlikely to increase baring a major injury in the midfield or defence.
Indeed, the 31-year-old showed last night to potential suitors that he can be a great signing for the right club, and Liverpool might be willing to let the Japanese international leave if the right offer comes in next month when the window opens.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
