Wataru Endo admits he is frustrated by his lack of game time at Liverpool, a situation that has also cost him his starting place with the Japan national team.
Endo was an unused substitute in Japan’s 2-0 victory over Ghana on Friday before returning to the starting XI for Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Bolivia, just his second appearance of the current campaign for his country.
The 32-year-old has made seven appearances for Liverpool this season, though his only two starts came in the Carabao Cup ties against Southampton and Crystal Palace.
In the Premier League, he has featured just four times, totalling only 36 minutes, with half an hour of that coming on the opening night of the season in the Reds’ 4-2 win over Bournemouth.
Wataru Endo played 20 league matches during last season’s title-winning campaign, carving out a reputation under Arne Slot as an enforcer regularly introduced late in games.
In his debut season, Jurgen Klopp’s final year at the club, he featured 43 times across all competitions.
The Japanese midfielder will now hope to earn his way back into Slot’s matchday squad for Saturday’s home clash with Bournemouth, having been left on the bench in recent fixtures against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.
Endo said, via Soccer King: “I haven’t played many games, but I played with the feeling that I had to perform at a high level. I was conscious of organising the whole team well and how to defend in difficult situations.”
“And as for today, it was [Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu’s] 100th game as manager, so I’m glad we were able to end it with a win.
“It was a milestone match, so I think it was good that we won, but I’m not completely satisfied. So first I’ll go back to my club and do my best so that I can meet you again in March with a good face.
“It’s tough, but my match fitness hasn’t deteriorated that much. It wasn’t bad.”
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