Wataru Legendo
Wataru Endo is a crowd favorite at my Supporters Club. Any time he takes to the pitch, the familiar cry of “ENDO!” makes the bar shake. The love for Endo predates my arrival, but has only intensified under Slot. This is a global phenomenon, and it’s easy to see why. When Wataru Endo takes the pitch, it’s a signal that Arne Slot believes the game has been won.
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Curiously Absent
Amid Slot’s apparent phobia of squad rotation, an underlying question has been why he doesn’t use Endo more. Endo’s performances have always been credible, whether starting in lower-stakes games or being subbed in. The match against Chelsea in late April was his first league start of the season, alongside a squad that saw a whopping six changes. This is the most Slot has rotated a squad since the infamous loss at Plymouth Argyle, apparently motivated by a desire for lesser-used players to show their mettle prior to the summer transfer window.
Most of them were merely average. Not poor by any estimation, but not the sort of performance I would stake a Premier League title on. Endo stood out among them as being singularly excellent. Without Gavenberch and Mac Allister, Endo was the obvious top performer in the midfield.
A Manager’s Dream
Endo is what I like to call a “Yes, Boss” player. He can confidently and competently perform in any position demanded with an astonishing work ethic, reminiscent of Jamie Carragher. Endo has one up on Carra by also being immensely graceful and technically proficient with the ball at his feet. Historically, Endo has played a holding midfielder, but started as a centerback and easily reverts to that position if needed. Endo’s versatility has been an immense boon, as demonstrated by Slot consistently entrusting league leads to his defensive ability.
Those skills were on full display at Stamford Bridge. Endo’s immense mobility and ball-winning ability played a key role in stabilizing a shaky defense. Not a single Chelsea man dribbled past Endo. He won more duels than any other man in red, and all of his tackles were effective. His work rate was also incredible. I can’t remember ever seeing him walking or standing still when the ball was in play. He was no slouch in possession either. Some truly beautiful passes between him and Curtis Jones (who was also having a hell of a match) set up some nice chances that we unfortunately did not capitalize on. Besides the guard of honor, watching Endo work was the highlight of a game with no real stakes.
Finally Getting Some Run
So why is this Endo’s first start? The answer to that appears to be strategic. Slot’s style of soccer simply prefers a Ryan Gravenberch for the most part. Gravenberch’s skill set is more suited to Slot’s pressing game than Endo’s. Whereas Endo is an extremely skilled traditional Number 6, Gravenberch has been molded into an attacking phenom in that position under Slot. Gravenberch’s passing and receiving ability have been instrumental to the counterattack soccer that Slot demands.
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Endo is more comfortable holding the ball than moving it forward, which he does well, but makes him an inferior choice in an offense-focused pressing game. Only when the lead is comfortable or has been held sufficiently late in the game will he let up on the gas and allow Endo to control. The two don’t seem to be in competition so much as they represent two different modes of Liverpool’s game. Endo’s role in this system is unglamorous, but he’s played a huge part in this title-winning campaign. He more than deserves the absolute glee that he creates among the Liverpool faithful when he steps over the line.
We need to get to work composing better songs for him. I’ve attempted, but I’ve had a devil of a time rhyming “Endo” with anything.