Endo Likely to Start Against Brighton

Today at 04:00 AM

The Japan captain's readiness and mentality was praised by his head coach ahead of the midweek League Cup tie.

Liverpool FC's Wataru Endo is in line to start against Brighton in the Carabao Cup at the Falmer Stadium.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Arne Slot spoke about the challenge of juggling minutes for players who have mainly been on the bench this season like Endo, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez, and then paid tribute to the Japanese Captain's professionalism:

"It is not always easy because they all want to play – and it would be strange for me if they are all happy (when) they don't play. But they are professionals, they know these things can happen and they also see the players who play in their positions do really well."

"So, that is mostly with Wata but it is also with Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah, that they are in competition with Virgil (van Dijk) and Ibou (Konate). So they understand and they see how well these players play and that they also stay fit until the last minute of the game."

"But I think Wata is one of the players that might be in the line-up (against Brighton) because the season is going to be so long and we will need him during the season. Therefore, once in a while he needs this playing time as well."

Even with Harvey Elliott's injury, Endo has found minutes hard to come by. His lone start came in the previous League Cup tie, and his other minutes mainly came in the late stages of games to see out a result. Still, Endo's ability to provide a defensive presence indeed hasn't gone unnoticed by Slot, and with the busiest part of the season to come at the end of the year, Endo may just have earned more minutes with his effort in those appearances.