BBC pundit issues verdict on Wataru Endo display in Liverpool clash

Mark Warburton was really not impressed by the performance of Wataru Endo during the first-half as Liverpool struggled against Crystal Palace on Saturday with the midfielder taken off by Jurgen Klopp at the break.

Warburton was speaking on BBC Radio Five Live as the Reds found it extremely difficult to break down a Palace side who were very much up for the game at Selhurst Park.

Wataru Endo kept his place in the starting lineup. However, the Japan international seemed to really struggle during the first 45 minutes.

Wataru Endo struggles in first-half for Liverpool

Whenever Endo got onto the ball, Will Hughes, in particular, was on him in a flash. And while Hughes did commit a couple of fouls – including one which led to a decision to award Palace a penalty being overturned – the 30-year-old really did not look convincing.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

He was unable to provide the backline with much support. And he failed to cope with Palace’s intensity in the middle of the park whenever he received possession.

Speaking at the start of the half-time interval, Warburton suggested that he expected to see Endo replaced.

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see a change from Jurgen Klopp here. I think there’s no doubt Endo has had a tough first half. They’ve targeted, they’ve jumped on, they’ve won the ball in good areas,” he told BBC Radio Five Live.

“I’d expect to see [Curtis] Jones at some point in the second half.”

Midfielder needs to improve after tough day at the office

It probably has not been the easiest time for Endo since making the move in the summer. Ultimately, he was not a signing many would have expected before the window opened. In fact, he was probably not a player that most were familiar with before he arrived for £16 million.

Jurgen Klopp lauded Endo this week. And he was certainly not the only Liverpool player to struggle against Palace.

But clearly, if he is going to prove to be the regular starter in that holding midfield role, he is going to have to adapt his game.

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