Liverpool fans had the rare luxury of being able to sit back and relax during their Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
Having already wrapped up the league title, the Reds are simply playing out the final four fixtures of the season.
With nothing on the line, Arne Slot brought in several players from the cold to start their first Premier League matches of the season.
Throughout the season, Liverpool supporters have been desperate for cult hero Wataru Endo to get more playing time.
Endo has been a useful member of the Liverpool squad, often coming on to help the Reds close out narrow games.
However, heading into the 35th fixture of the campaign, the 32-year-old was still waiting for his first league start. Thankfully, Slot gave him the nod at Stamford Bridge. And after finally seeing Endo in extended action, Liverpool fans were delighted with what they’d witnessed.
Wataru Endo earns rave reviews
Liverpool started Sunday’s game in the worst way possible. Three minutes were not even on the clock when Enzo Fernandez swept Chelsea into the lead.
With the Reds clearly slightly lax following their title win last week, a number of players were well below their best. As fans on X were quick to point out, though, Endo was not one of them.
“Endo has been our stand out performer until now,” said one fan. “And our midfield plus Trent is sleeping.”
“Endo has done fantastic against this very expensive Chelsea midfield so far,” another commented. “Nothing from the commentary though.”
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“Endo’s just mugged off half of the Chelsea side and not a peep,” someone else agreed, with others noting how the Japanese looked to be playing a slightly more advanced role.
“Wait why is Endo quietly a creative force,” one fan posed. “Endo spinning and driving forward, breaking into the box, who is this?” questioned another.
“Endo brilliant here actually. Even as he finds himself in more advanced positions than we usually see,” someone else noted.
“Didn’t realise Endo had such an eye for a pass,” another agreed. “Should have tried taking a shot earlier but other than that been really good so far!”
“Endo the only one taking this opportunity,” someone else claimed, “Endo is actually bullying Enzo and Lavia in that midfield, what a player,” said another.
How did Harvey Elliott do?
Endo was possibly Liverpool’s best player during the first-half against Chelsea on Sunday.
But the midfielder was not the only one making his maiden start of the season, as Harvey Elliott also joined him in the starting XI.
Unfortunately, Elliott did not manage to match Endo’s output, failing to make a mark on the game and looking a little off the pace.
The 21-year-old was not the only one far from his best, though, with Curtis Jones in particular especially poor.
While Endo may be convincing Slot that he deserves more game time in the coming weeks, Elliott is certainly not doing the same.
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