Outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is confident that Wataru Endo will sign a new long-term Liverpool contract. The Japanese international had a stormer against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup finals on Sunday as the Reds won a record-extending 10th title in the competition.
Jurgen Klopp on Wataru Endo Liverpool Contract
Endo played the full 120 minutes at Wembley and was crucial to winning the midfield battle. With Ryan Gravenberch going off injured in the opening stanza, Alexis Mac Allister was substituted off the match in the 87th minute. Endo, though, played on even into the extra-time.
He mustered every ounce of his energy and expertise to help Liverpool maintain control of tempo, while he made a staggering 12 recoveries and six tackles in the match. Klopp heaped praise on the 31-year-old after the win, even stating that he will sign a long-term contract with the club in the coming years.
During the Jurgen Klopp press conference, the German head coach shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and upcoming challenges.:
“We were lucky, we bring him in and I am pretty sure in three or four years Wataru will sign another long-term contract at Liverpool. He might be 30 or 31 in the passport, but he is not, he is a machine.”
Endo, signed on a meager £16.25 million Liverpool contract from Stuttgart last summer, quickly established himself as a key figure in Klopp’s set-up. The head coach went on to call him “exceptional” too.
“Football wise, he’s just exceptional. His defensive brain is outstanding; gives us a lot of freedom for a lot of things. Top development, I have to say. Very helpful, very helpful.”
Endo’s current terms with Liverpool run until 2027, when he’s 34 years of age. Should he keep himself fit, the Japanese national team’s skipper might continue to drop such masterclasss even then. But for now, there are fresh injury concerns as the midfielder was seen in crutches after the game. The former Stuttgart midfielder is now doubtful for their FA Cup clash against Southampton on Wednesday.