LYNCH: Endo: brillaint when called upon and should have been red card | OneFootball

Endo’s Role and Liverpool’s Red Card Controversy: Insights from Media Matters

Liverpool’s season continues to offer plenty of talking points, from squad depth to contentious refereeing decisions. On the Media Matters Podcast by Anfield Index, Dave Davis and David Lynch explored Wataru Endo’s growing influence and the recent red card controversy that left fans and analysts divided.

Endo’s Reliability Shines Through

Wataru Endo’s contributions this season have been an underappreciated aspect of Liverpool’s campaign. The Japanese international has quietly established himself as a dependable squad player, impressing whenever called upon. Dave Davis commented, “Endo comes on, does a job, and more than that—he’s been really good when we’ve called upon him.”

This sentiment was echoed by Lynch, who noted how Endo has gradually gained the trust of manager Arne Slot. “We’re starting to see a growing trust because the manager is using him a lot more than he was at the start of the season,” Lynch explained. He added that Endo’s perseverance and professionalism have been crucial to this progression: “It’s testament to his character for sticking at it and convincing the manager that he does have some value.”

Photo: IMAGO

While Endo has not featured as prominently as some fans might hope, his ability to step up in critical moments has added much-needed depth to Liverpool’s midfield. Davis remarked, “I’m surprised he hasn’t been called on a little bit more, but I think he’s proving his worth every time he’s on the pitch.”

Controversial Red Card Decision

The discussion shifted to the red card incident in Liverpool’s recent match, a decision that raised eyebrows among fans and pundits. Davis highlighted the luck involved, saying, “Let’s be honest, Endo was lucky he was wearing a gum shield on Saturday.” Referring to the incident, he expressed surprise at the lack of intervention from VAR: “I’m still trying to work out how that wasn’t a red card, to be honest.”

Lynch offered further analysis of the incident, pointing out how subjective these calls can be: “Sometimes those clashes look worse than they are, but when you watch the replay back, it’s hard to see how VAR didn’t advise the referee to take another look.” Despite the potential severity of the foul, Lynch acknowledged that Liverpool emerged unscathed: “Fortunately, it’s not caused any injury, and it didn’t cost Liverpool on the day.”

Opportunities for Endo to Shine

With Liverpool’s packed fixture list, both Davis and Lynch agreed that Endo could play a pivotal role in upcoming matches. Davis suggested that Liverpool’s FA Cup game and less crucial Champions League fixtures provide ideal opportunities for players like Endo. “Ideally, you don’t want Gravenberch anywhere near that FA Cup game,” he said, pointing to the importance of rotation. “These are the types of games where you want to reward Endo for his brilliant attitude and performances.”

Photo: IMAGO

Squad Depth and Tactical Considerations

The podcast discussion also touched on the broader importance of Liverpool’s squad depth. With key players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk logging heavy minutes this season, the ability to rely on experienced backups like Endo could prove invaluable. Lynch summed it up succinctly: “You can’t underestimate the value of having a player like Endo who’s willing to do the job with professionalism and quality.”

Endo’s steady performances and the ongoing red card debate highlight the balance Liverpool must strike between relying on their stars and utilising their depth effectively. As Davis concluded, “If there’s ever a time to see more of Endo, it’s now. He’s earned it.”