Liverpool’s Japanese captain, Wataru Endo (31), is still not out of the woods.
“Liverpool are open to selling Endo, one of Jürgen Klopp’s last signings,” the UK’s The Sun reported on Wednesday (June 13), adding, ”He has slipped down the pecking order in the race for a starting role at Anfield. He has slipped down the pecking order in the race for the Anfield starting XI,” and ‘Liverpool could still offload Endo after missing out on Martin Subiemendi (Real Sociedad),’ the Sun reported.
Endo, the Japan national team captain, joined Liverpool from Stuttgart last summer. The move was a surprise after Klopp praised his steady defensive play.
Despite some concerns, Endo adapted to the Premier League like a veteran. He made 43 appearances in his debut season, including 29 league games, and became a mainstay in Liverpool’s midfield.
It was enough to earn him a passing grade.
“When we signed the 31-year-old Japanese midfielder, did anyone expect him to be an outstanding player in the PL? Nobody knew, but it happened. Endo has developed into a world-class player,” he said. However, their relationship ended after just one year. Klopp suddenly decided to take a break from soccer, citing ‘burnout’.
New coach Arnaut Slott didn’t think much of Endo, and in preseason, he opted to play Dominik Sobosler and Ryan Grabenbergh in defensive midfield instead of Endo.
Eventually, Slott went in search of a new No. 6 midfielder, and he pointed to Subramendi. 메이저사이트 “Liverpool are confident they can complete a deal for Subramendi,” The Times reported. They are expecting Subramendi to move to Anfield” and ‘Slott is believed to be keen to move on from Endo’.
A Sociedad Sacral youth product, Subramendi is one of La Liga’s top defensive midfielders. At 6’2”, he’s not the biggest of players, but he’s a very solid defender with a great sense of stability. His passing skills also allow him to be the initiator of the buildup from the back.
He’s the definition of a 6th midfielder that many teams are looking for.
The arrival of Subramendi would naturally relegate Endo to the bench, and according to The Athletic, Liverpool would be willing to sell him if the right offer came in. Japan’s Soccer Digest also reported that “Endo will continue to compete for a place at Liverpool, but his prospects are far from bright: ”He is likely to be on the release list and leave this summer. If he doesn’t, he will struggle to get a chance throughout the season.”
The Sociedad side had no intention of holding on to Subramendi either. The Athletic said that a €60 million buyout clause could be a stumbling block, but added: “Sociedad expect Subiemendi to agree to join Liverpool. If Subramendi wants to leave, they will fulfill his wishes,” he explained.
However, things have changed quickly.
Instead of joining Liverpool, Subramendi decided to stay at Sociedad, the club he had been with all his life. His midfield partner Mikel Merino’s impending move to Arsenal made it even harder for him to leave the club.
“Liverpool initially thought Subramendi would be open to a move and made an effort to sign him,” says The Athletic. However, he rejected a move to Anfield. The deal was complicated by the fact that Subramendi’s €60 million buyout clause would have to be paid in full.”
There is hope in Japan that Endo could be rehired. “According to Paul Joyce, Liverpool are unlikely to pursue another No.6 midfielder at the moment,” said Japanese outlet Ultra Soccer, ”and the arrival of Subramendi has opened up the door for Endo, who was forced to compete for a place.” He also praised Endo’s performance against Las Palmas, raising expectations.
However, Liverpool are still looking to offload Endo.
According to The Sun, “Slott seems to see Grabenberger and Stefan Wijnaldum as better options in holding roles than Endo. This casts doubt on the future of Endo, who wants to play in the first team,” and claims that ”Endo could be on his way out of Anfield after just one season.” For Endo, losing out to Vaičetić, a 2004-born youngster with no first-team experience, is effectively a release slip.
Celtic and Marseille are monitoring Endo’s situation. According to The Sun, “Celtic are believed to be very high on Endo, who has fallen out of contention for a place at Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers believes a move for Endo would help strengthen his position in Scotland and on the European stage.”
Marseille were already in the hunt for Endo this summer. They reportedly made a €14 million bid for the midfielder but were unsuccessful. However, if they come back with a higher offer, Liverpool would have no reason to reject it. The Sun believes that Endo’s price tag will be around £15 million, with Marseille more likely to win the battle than Celtic.
If Endo does stay at Liverpool, Gravenberger will be his biggest competition. The midfielder is more of an attacking midfielder than Endo, but he has shown in pre-season that he can be transformed. Liverpool fan site Anfield Watch also believes that Grabenbergh would be the “ideal solution”.