Wataru Endo reveals what it was like in Liverpool dressing room after Atalanta defeat
Japanese international Wataru Endo, who has become a firm Kop favourite following his bargain £18million arrival, promises that Jurgen Klopp's side will come out fighting against Crystal Palace
As befits a midfield warrior complete with his boxer’s type gumshield Wataru Endo was badly bruised by Liverpool's shock emphatic defeat against Atalanta.
Now the Japanese international who has become a firm Kop favourite following his bargain £18million arrival from VfB Stuttgart promises that Jurgen Klopp's side will come out fighting against Crystal Palace.
“We will be fine but we need to stick together,” he stated. “Thankfully we have another game coming up quickly and we have to be ready for it.” Back at Anfield where the stunned fans could hardly believe their eyes as a side sixth in Italy’s Serie A dismantled Endo and company, inflicting the first home defeat of the season, Liverpool will be seeking instant retribution.
Endo also insists that the Europa League setback won’t derail the desire to fete Klopp’s farewell next month with the German’s second Premier League title. But there can’t be any setbacks in the run in which comprises seven games starting with the visit of Oliver Glasner ’s Eagles.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand names two fixtures Arsenal will lose to cost them Premier League titleREAD MORE: Gary McAllister reacts to Liverpool dressing room calling Alexis Mac Allister 'Gary'“We need to try and win every game,” Endo added, “It’s important that we have a number of injured players coming back. Now we have to step up and win the game (against Palace). We want to make it up to the fans after what happened against Atalanta.”
Diogo Jota out for two months and another long-term absentee Trent Alexander-Arnold were involved on Thursday night and will be in the frame to start against Palace while missing keeper Alisson is back training again and could be available.
Endo admits there can’t be any mental hangups from the Atalanta humbling. “We were all disappointed in the dressing room after the game. We have to be in the right mind. Everyone has to give off positive energy,” he added.
“Palace are a tough opponent to play. But we are at Anfield again and we have to start strong and be better offensively than we have been in the last few games.”
He admits it was his worst feeling in a Liverpool shirt but freak results can happen. “This was not a shock because sometimes this happens in football,” Endo said. “I try to give everything on the pitch as I did against Atalanta but sometimes there is a reason you can’t get the best result every time. Now I will try to give everything for this game and the Europa League game as well.”
It’s that work rate and determination which has endeared the 31-year-old surprise signing to the Liverpool fans who in the summer thought they were signing either Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia who both went instead to Chelsea for a combined fee of £170 million.
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He started wearing the protective mouthpiece in Germany and has continued with it in this country. It gives the combative Japanese the look of a fighter as he guards the back four allowing Alexis Mac Allister to weave his midfield magic further up the pitch.
On Thursday night he and his stunned team-mates were against the ropes unable to ward off Atalanta’s punches. “Now we have to be ready to win again.” Endo stressed.
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