Endo was officially announced as an LFC player earlier today, well in time to be named part of the match day squad for tomorrow's game against AFC Bournemouth. However, aside from being Stuttgart's captain before his departure, and also the captain of the Japanese men's senior football team, not much is known of the light weight midfield enforcer.
If you want to know more about Endo read this by a Japanese Liverpool fan:
1. He is versatile and fills so many of our problem positions and he will do so with discipline. Predominantly a defensive midfielder and we will come on to his qualities there, but he is very capable at CB having started his career there (left sided centreback to cover Van Dijk) and can play both fullback positions. He is alot more vocal than Gomez, Ibou or Matip so he would fill in that leadership role and his English is not bad. For someone who is 5'10, he is absolutely dominant in the air. Reminds me of Roberto Ayala in that regard.
2) Liverpool and Klopp specifically, hoards captains such as Robbo, Salah, Van Dijk, etc and Endo is both captain of Japan and Stuttgart and he leads by example as well as vocally. Just rewatch the World Cup and him getting everyone into shape and leading the warm ups and cool downs. He will be the one that leads the youngsters through the games in the early cup rounds.
3) He is MEAN and a total hard nut boss. Minamino is super nice and super shy and probably a cute teachers pet. Endo is a straight edge player and won't take crap from any opposition and slacking from any team member. His obsession with winning is scary. Think about it, a Japanese fella, waltzing into the German league and taking the captaincy. He really is like Milner in this regard.
4) He is 30 years old. People are saying it as a negative. Remember, Mourinho and Conte love the 30 year old proven quality players, as they know the role, have seen everything and played on the biggest stages and can be relied on to be disciplined. You also know how they react and perform historically and not just a 1 season wonder or with limited stats like Lavia. These players are bought to win NOW. Remember how upset Conte got at the up and coming Djed Spence (big resale value, big potential etc).
5) Every squad needs players with huge availability and ability. He is never injured. He is of the Park Ji Sung, Nicky Butt, Conor Gallagher, Gilberto Silva, Henderson, Wijnaldum type mould where they are not the super flashy players, but they absolutely will TANK the opposition, retain the ball, keep things going and play the water carrier role.
6) He is 2 footed and CAN SCORE. He is a baller, not just a destroyer. Don't be confused because he is aggressive, persistent and a great tackler. He has the streetballer vibe like Suarez where it doesn't always look conventional, but he caresses the ball with finesse. He scored the crucial goal to keep Stuttgart up from relegation.
7) Stuttgart fans are DEVASTATED to lose him. That means a lot. Its not a split fan base decision, they all love and respect him so much and what he means to them as a person and as a player. Additionally, there is no doubt Klopp follows the Bundesliga and will know all about Endo in depth. Jorg will have run the rule as well and decided together, that Endo can help us NOW. You think Klopp will give the green light for a stop gap, when he wants to win things this season?
8) The price of Endo does not dictate his ability. He has a year left and it was his dream to play in England and win something big. He is without a shadow of a doubt, a better player than Lavia right now, which is what is really important for the current season.
9) He wants to play for Liverpool and came at the first calling. Never forget reds, how much that intent actually means. A talented, earnest, quality player, who will do as Klopp wants, has the ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate a game with 110% effort and endeavour and has come from the Bundesliga which stylistically, is the most similar league to the Premier League, so will take minimal adjusting. He also will not try to run when Madrid and Barca come flirting like a certain Caicedo and will not complain about game time potentially like a Lavia who didn't want to play second fiddle.
10) This is what we wanted for Bajcetic. To give him a chance to be eased into the team and claim his place when he has the consistency and fitness. Endo will fight for his life for the team and his place, but would be the top cheerleader for Stefan if he breaks through. A real team player.
11) Endo was in our eyes, the player of the match in the wins over Germany and Spain and shackled Luka Modric like a mad dog. There are not many players who are as slippery and as quality as Luka.
12) Endo's signing pays for itself with commercial ventures. Future generations of Japanese super talents will want to follow in his footsteps and the technical talent and mental fortitude of Japanese players is a trademark!
What do you think of Endo's move to Liverpool? Lret's hear your thoughts below
