Liverpool’s midfield has been totally transformed from where it was two years ago.
Rewind the clock to the 2022/23 season, and the Reds were in dire need of an overhaul in the middle of the pitch.
Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara were running on empty while the likes of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain simply couldn’t stay fit.
By the summer of the summer of 2023, four of those five players had been sold, while Thiago would play just once more in a Liverpool shirt.
With Jorg Schmadtke tasked with buying a brand new midfield for Jurgen Klopp, the German sporting director delivered one of Liverpool’s best ever transfer windows.
In came Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch. All four have been big hits at Anfield and Endo has now explained why Mac Allister might just be the biggest success story of all.
Wataru Endo heaps praise on Alexis Mac Allister
Now at the club for around 18 months, all four of the 2023 quartet have been fixtures in the Liverpool midfield.
The cheapest – and the oldest of the bunch – Endo has been reduced to more of a bit-part role under Arne Slot, but the Japanese is still a really important member of the Liverpool squad.
Endo put together a brilliant partnership with Mac Allister last season showcasing the pair’s complimentary styles.
So, when asked about the Argentine on The Wataru Endo Podcast, it was not a surprise to hear Wata rave about his World Cup-winning teammate.
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“He’s an amazing player,” Endo replied. “He can do everything on the pitch, not only offensively but he defends well to be honest.
“Sometimes last season he played as a number six as well, and I think he was playing very well. He has a good shot, good passing and he fights! So, I’m really happy to play with him.”
Endo delivers the verdict on more Liverpool teammates
As well as picking Mac Allister out for praise, Endo also gave some funny insights into other members of Slot’s team. Asked to name the fastest player, the 31-year-old opted for Darwin Nunez.
“Quickest, Darwin Nunez. Or Mo Salah,” said Endo. When told that Szoboszlai is actually statistically Liverpool’s speediest squad member, though, the No.3 was not surprised.
“Szoboszlai is also fast,” he said. “If you go long distance I think Szoboszlai is the fastest player but short distance I think it could be Darwin. We’ve got a lot of fast players.”
On who he’d least like to fight in a boxing match, Endo opted for Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate because “they’re too strong!”, while it was also interesting to hear the Japan captain’s thoughts on the best and worst dressed Liverpool players.
“Best dressed I would say Kostas [Tsimikas],” Endo declared. “He dresses very well, he really cares about clothes, I like the clothes he wears. I’m probably second or third! The worst – Robbo. Sorry, Robbo!”
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