Jurgen Klopp Heaps Praise on ‘Perfect’ Liverpool Midfielder After Premier League Title Win | OneFootball

Wataru Endo’s Quiet Revolution: Klopp’s Praise Echoes as Liverpool Enter a New Era

As Liverpool bask in the glow of their record-equalling 20th English top-flight title, much of the attention understandably falls on the marquee names. Mohamed Salah, with his glut of individual accolades, and Arne Slot, who delivered Premier League glory in his debut season, will dominate the headlines. Yet, beyond the fireworks and flashbulbs, there lies a story of quiet influence and professional pride — that of Wataru Endo.

While Endo’s name may rarely feature in discussions about starting XIs or highlight reels, his significance to this Liverpool squad cannot be overstated. If football is won with flair, it is also sustained through grit, character and consistency — qualities that Endo embodies in abundance.

Klopp’s Endo Admiration Remains Undimmed

Jurgen Klopp may have exited Anfield in May 2024, but his words still resonate strongly across Merseyside. And when it comes to Wataru Endo, Klopp’s sentiments verge on reverent.

“Just before I finished my career, I had the honour and opportunity to work with your captain, Wataru Endo. The perfect professional, a wonderful man and I loved working together with him,” Klopp recently told Red Bull Japan.

That comment, simple in delivery yet powerful in implication, is vintage Klopp. It reveals an admiration not just for Endo the footballer, but Endo the person. Having signed him from VfB Stuttgart in 2023, Klopp had only one season to work with the Japanese international. Yet, the impression was indelible.

Photo: IMAGO

“My first love in Germany was VfB Stuttgart because I am from that region. He was the captain there as well, so we share a lot of similarities,” Klopp continued.

“I never won a trophy in my life without a Japanese player in my squad, so, you better have a Japanese player in your squad!”

A throwaway line, perhaps, but one laden with subtext — Endo’s influence, while not always visible on the pitch, permeates a dressing room built on unity, humility and high standards.

Numbers Tell Only Part of the Story

Endo’s league appearances this season may barely nudge the totaliser — just one start — but his broader contribution reflects a different currency. Across all competitions, he featured 32 times in 2024–25, a drop from 43 the season prior, but still reflective of a trusted figure in rotation.

The numbers — no goals, no assists this campaign — do not flatter. Yet, Endo has never been about vanity statistics. His worth is measured in tactical intelligence, positional awareness and unwavering commitment.

At 32, he remains a paragon of the ‘elite squad player’ — someone who trains with intensity, fills in seamlessly when called upon and helps maintain the culture Klopp so painstakingly built and Slot now inherits.

Slot’s Subtle Shift in Appreciation

When Arne Slot took the reins last summer, Endo’s role appeared uncertain. A new manager, a different system and fierce competition in midfield left many wondering if the Japan captain’s time at Anfield was nearing its end.

And while Endo was far from a fixture in Slot’s starting line-up, there is a sense that the Dutchman has come to value what he offers. Reports suggest Liverpool are open to keeping Endo beyond the summer, should he wish to remain in a squad role.

It would not be a surprise if Endo, quietly reflective and pragmatic, opted to stay. His presence brings balance, not just on the pitch when required, but in the dressing room every day.

A Summer of Questions, not Conclusions

As Liverpool fans toast their latest title triumph and peer ahead to a fresh campaign under Arne Slot, the future of several fringe players will come under scrutiny. Endo, by virtue of his limited game time, fits this bracket.

But with Klopp’s glowing endorsement still echoing and Slot seemingly won over, there is a compelling case for continuity. Squad depth is more than a numbers game. It is about quality of character, and in Endo, Liverpool have that in abundance.

In a team of stars, it is often the understated figures who define the culture. Wataru Endo may never be the story, but he remains a vital part of it.