Robbie Earle admits underestimating Wataru Endo’s impact at Liverpool
Robbie Earle, a sports pundit, openly acknowledged his mistake over Liverpool’s summer signing Wataru Endo, after the Japanese midfielder’s outstanding display against Brighton on Sunday. Given his initial concerns over Endo’s presence at Anfield, Earle says he underestimated the midfielder’s ability.
“I’m going to hold my hands up with Endo in midfield, who I wasn’t sure would have the athletic ability to hold that number six role for a Liverpool team that, at times, are going to push people forward, I’ve got to hold my hands up, I’ve been wrong,” he said.
“His football IQ’s much better than I thought. His positional play gets around dangerous areas. He’s not the quickest, and he isn’t the best athlete. But he isn’t half a great footballer, and an intelligent footballer, knows where to be.
“And his kind of control in front of the backline is allowing Mac Allister to go and do the things that we used to see at Brighton, the things where he was freer, where he could go and make and score and assist and probe.
“And all of a sudden, that is absolutely another option that makes Liverpool a massive threat in any game.”
Endo, who joined Liverpool for £16.2 million, has shown to be a valuable asset for Jurgen Klopp’s team, consistently providing dependable performances on the playing field.
Although flying under the radar, Endo’s excellent pass completion rate in Sunday’s game shows his importance to the team’s victory.
Previously overshadowed by speculation linking Liverpool to other midfield targets, Endo proved to be an excellent purchase, surpassing expectations with his perfect adaptation into Klopp’s system.
Robbie Earle, among others as well, has been pleasantly pleased by Endo’s impact, acknowledging his importance in Liverpool’s recent recovery in the championship battle.
With Liverpool reclaiming first place in the Premier League standings, Endo’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, requiring a rethinking of original reservations about the signing. Endo’s influence is expected to be an important factor in the Reds’ pursuit for domestic glory.
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