'The kind of coach': Wataru Endo makes new claim about Arne Slot after barely playing for Liverpool this season

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Liverpool players are off galivanting around the world as they embark on another international break.

The Reds have 15 players in senior action for their countries, with a further two playing for underage sides.

Of that group, Liverpool have five players who are permanent captains of their nations.

Four of those – Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk – are absolutely key members of the Liverpool squad.

The fifth is Wataru Endo. And although he has played his part so far this season, it’s safe to say that Arne Slot sees Endo as being further down the pecking order at Anfield.

Now thrust back into an important role for Japan, the 31-year-old has once again opened up on his lack of playing time under Slot.

Wataru Endo outlines feelings on Arne Slot approach

It is not as though Endo has not been used at all by Slot this season. The defensive midfielder has still clocked up eight appearances.

However, that has amounted to just two starts – both in the Carabao Cup – with only 20 minutes of Premier League and Champions League action registered across six matches.

This is a departure from last season when Endo became an important part of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield.

Questioned on the differences between Slot’s approach this season and that of Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu, Endo claimed that his international manager is more ‘flexible’ than the Liverpool head coach.

READ MORE: Wataru Endo actively seeking Liverpool exit ahead of January transfer window

“With regards to attacking, you could say Slot is more positional — he’s the kind of coach who’s very precise about where each individual player should be positioned,” the midfielder said via The Japan Times.

“Moriyasu is more flexible, and while he has a base, he gives the players the option to sometimes build as a four or sometimes as a three.

“Maybe that’s similar to the style of Klopp last year,” Endo added.

Wataru Endo says he’s training hard

It has been a very frustrating campaign so far for Endo. However, now 31 and a little limited, it is clear that Slot has slightly better options for the Liverpool midfield.

Nevertheless, no one can fault Endo for his attitude to hardly playing. In further quotes from The Japan Times, the former Stuttgart man said that he’s putting everything in at the Liverpool training ground.

“Of course, when you’re not playing, people keep asking about your game sense or if it’s affecting your performance,” he admitted.

“I’m not playing, but I’m training very hard to keep my condition, and as captain I feel I have to show a high level of performance for the national team.”

Japan are in action against Indonesia at 12pm on Thursday before a trip to face China on Tuesday.