What Liverpool are expecting to happen with Wataru Endo this summer after reduced role under Arne Slot

Add as preferred source on Google

Wataru Endo faces an uncertain future at Liverpool heading into the 2025/26 campaign.

The Japanese star was brought to Anfield during the summer of 2023 as Jurgen Klopp looked to add to his midfield options following the departure of some major stars such as Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

The 32-year-old had a bigger role than expected during his first season on Merseyside and stepped up on many occasions as Liverpool went in search of a quadruple last season.

Arne Slot described the mentality of Endo as ‘unbelievable’ this season as the Japanese star continues to give it his all when given the opportunity to play by the Reds boss.

However, Endo’s minutes have been limited and given his age, the midfielder is expected to be moved on at the end of the season.

• READ MORE: Wataru Endo proved why Jurgen Klopp was absolutely right about him during Liverpool’s embarrassment at Plymouth

Liverpool expecting interest in Wataru Endo this summer

The previous two transfer windows have been very quiet for Slot with Federico Chiesa being the only Liverpool signing added to the squad for the current campaign.

Changes are expected on Merseyside ahead of the 2025/26 campaign as Saudi Arabia are keen on Darwin Nunez, while Liverpool could potentially cash in on Luis Diaz this summer.

Marseille made a move for Endo ahead of this season with the Reds rejecting a £12m offer from the French club.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Merseyside club are expecting interest in the Japanese star again during the summer but this time around, a move is more likely.

The 32-year-old is not viewed as a key part of Slot’s plans going forward as the midfielder has received only 664 minutes of action across 20 games this season – Ryan Gravenberch has played 2050 for comparison.

In addition to Endo, Liverpool have several other stars they need to decide on as contracts begin to hit crucial stages at Anfield.

• READ MORE: Andy Robertson reveals how he is dealing with being rotated by Arne Slot at Liverpool this season

Do Liverpool have a contract problem?

The contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been well-documented but these stars are not the only ones looking for new deals.

Andy Robertson and Caoimhin Kelleher, who like Ibrahima Konate, will become free agents in less than 18 months.

Konate is attracting interest from PSG ahead of the summer transfer window and the 25-year-old is a player the Reds’ board will not want to lose.

Looking beyond 2026, a whole host of players are out of contract in 2027 including Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez, Luis Diaz and Alisson Becker.

Liverpool cannot afford for these situations to start piling up or else they’ll find themselves once again in a situation similar to the one they are in now with Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold.