Liverpool don’t like to do things the easy way at centre-back, with numerous crises and mini-crises concerning depth in the position over the years.
This season is only one friendly game old, and another disaster has already reared its head.
After Joe Gomez went down inside 10 minutes of Liverpool‘s win over Sunderland on Saturday night, alarm bells must have started ringing for every supporter. It was bad enough that Jeremy Jacquet had been ruled out before the match even started, but the Reds were now two centre-backs down.
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There had already been some concern about the options at Andoni Iraola’s disposal, with Gomez and Jacquet joining Giovanni Leoni and Virgil van Dijk as the senior players available. Liverpool surely need something extra, and with the transfer market open for a while yet, that is where an obvious solution could arise.
However, it is not the only route Liverpool can go down. Mor Talla Ndiaye is likely to be the player chosen if the Reds opt for youth, but if they want more experience, then Wataru Endo, who has actually played more career games at centre-back than in midfield, is definitely the way to go.
Endo is an experienced centre-back
Although Endo was signed – and has largely played for Liverpool – as a defensive midfielder, he had mainly been a centre-back up to that point of his career.
According to Transfermarkt data, 244 of the 33-year-old’s 509 senior appearances have been in the centre of defence, compared to 214 as a defensive midfielder.
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A handful of those outings have come for Liverpool, when Endo has looked comfortable in a centre-back pairing.
Though he is not the tallest, the Japanese reads the game exceptionally well and is a superb tackler and duel-winner. He is good in the air and adept with distribution as well.
If they do not want to spend on what could end up being a fifth-choice defender, it would make sense for Liverpool to drop Endo back there.
With Trey Nyoni looking ready to step up, and returns for Stefan Bajcetic and James McConnell, Endo is also likely to get less game time than ever in midfield. But, with an exit not looking likely, this is a solution which should work for everyone.
Endo has already confirmed he’ll play at centre-back
One of the best things about Endo, along with his versatility, is his attitude, with the former Japan captain ready to give it his all every time he wears the Liverpool shirt.
This has been sadly lacking for the Reds recently, and Endo’s admission that he will play wherever needed back in August 2025 is the kind of thing which has made him popular with Reds fans.
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“I can play as a six, at right-back or at centre-back – I don’t mind and I will just always give 100 per cent to the team,” he said.
“I used to play centre-back when I was in Japan so I don’t mind where I play for Liverpool.”
Naturally, supporters would probably prefer to see a shiny new signing rock up and play second-fiddle to Liverpool’s main quartet.
But Endo barely played last season, and he deserves the chance to be part of a Liverpool squad under a manager who sees his value. If that comes at centre-back, then so be it.
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