Liverpool have appointed new manager Arne Slot following the departure of Jurgen Klopp in the summer transfer window.
The club has made changes this summer at the top and in the club, with the new manager stepping on his authority and making decisions according to his philosophy.
One of the players facing an uncertain future at the club is midfielder Wataru Endo, who is not in the Dutch manager’s plans.
The Reds wanted a number 6 in the summer transfer window and were even willing to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi but the Spaniard decided to stay at his boyhood club.
Athletic reporter Andy Jones said there are signs that Endo will be released soon as the manager has not started the midfielder this season.
Speaking on The Athletic’s Walk On podcast, Jones said Endo is not part of Slot’s long-term plans at Anfield.
He said:
“I think we saw it before the season, and Slot’s lack of use for him – and the fact that in the end, Liverpool decided to hire a number six – that he doesn’t seem to be part of Liverpool’s long-term plans.
“I think as far as this year, as you’ve got him, I think the role is maybe not to start games but to do kind of the last 20 minutes, the last 15 minutes of the game where hopefully Liverpool are comfortable. He can bring him in and fix things.
“He knows how to keep hitting the ball, he can do simple things, he is not just a passer. That’s the problem.”
Wataru Endo was impressive for Liverpool last season
It is a complete turnaround in the career of the midfielder who was one of Liverpool’s key players last season.
Signed by Jurgen Klopp last summer, the midfielder has been a regular fixture in midfield for the Merseyside club.
Slot has come to the Reds with a different mentality and the type of football he expects from his defensive midfielder is completely different to what Endo can offer.
The Japanese midfielder impressed Klopp last season, with the former Liverpool boss calling him “special”, according to GOAL.
The German boss praised the midfielder’s defensive brains last season but under Slot, he has no future at Anfield and a move next year looks certain at the moment.
Source link
