‘Endo will definitely start games in the Premier League’

Jurgen Klopp sees Wataru Endo as an important cog in Liverpool’s machine and says “he will definitely start games in the Premier League”.

The Japan midfielder has made 12 appearances for the Reds since joining from Stuttgart in the summer, but has only completed two full matches.

On how he feels Endo has adapted, Klopp said: “Very good. Wataru was all the time very important for us.

“It’s another part of football that you line up 11 and they do well, you think the others don’t do well. It’s not true. Wataru makes steps every day.

“We had stories like this in the past. Andy Robertson did not play for half a year. Nobody can remember it any more but it was like that. Other players had their struggles in the beginning, it’s all fine. He [Endo] did not struggle, it’s just we play pretty good and he is super important for us.

“He played a lot of games and if he plays all the games people say ‘ah but he’s not starting in the Premier League’. It’s a little bit rhythm, but he will definitely start games in the Premier League, 100%.”

Klopp is happy with his squad and said “things are going in the right direction”, though he is still seeking improvements.

He said: “Now it’s just important we get through this period until the international break and after with as little injuries as possible because the games are coming thick and fast. It’s crazy how many we have to play and we need them all, you will see them all.

“We are together for a while, we are much better used to each other than we were. Things are going in the right direction. We are not there yet, we are not as stable as I wish, but that’s normal as well. All fine.”

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