'What I need' - Wataru Endo reveals private talks with Arne Slot after lack of Liverpool minutes

Wataru Endo has revealed that Arne Slot has reassured him of his importance to Liverpool despite his lack of game-time so far this season

Wataru Endo has revealed that Arne Slot has reassured him of his importance to Liverpool despite his lack of game-time so far this season. The Japan international has only started twice - both in the League Cup - while he has been limited to 21 minutes of action across seven appearances in the Premier League and Champions League.

It is in stark contrast to last season where the midfielder made 43 appearances under Jurgen Klopp, with 34 of them coming from the start.

But with Slot tweaking the Reds’ system to a 4-2-3-1 set-up, Ryan Gravenberch has instead been fielded as Liverpool’s first-choice holding midfielder, with Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones competing to start alongside him.

The Dutchman has been one of the Reds’ players of the season so far, ensuring that they have not been made to rue being rejected by Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi in the summer.

Regardless of that failed transfer pursuit, Endo’s Anfield future had already been uncertain after Marseille had a bid rejected for his services last summer.

But with Slot having recently praised the Japanese publicly, Endo has lifted the lid on a private conversation he has had with his head coach as the Dutchman offered him reassurance regarding his role in the squad.

“I’ve talked with him, he told me the same thing he said in that interview,” Endo said on 'Red Machine – The Wataru Endo Podcast'. “So, I think that’s what I need to do at the moment and I’m so grateful that he knows that I always try to work hard on the pitch.

“It’s good that he came to me to talk about that. To play for Liverpool is not easy, so the manager told me that we needed everyone.”

Slot had praised Endo for his role in helping the Reds see out their 3-2 victory away at Southampton last month after introducing the midfielder ahead of second half stoppage time.

“Wata Endo came in, maybe only for 10 minutes,” Slot said. “But he was important in that ten minutes with the amount of balls he won and the effort he put in.

“So, that’s what in the end makes the team strong and that’s what we need.”

Gravenberch has started all 18 of Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League matches to date, ahead of the Reds’ trip to Newcastle United on Wednesday night.

But with the trip to St. James’ Park marking the start of a run of nine matches in 32 days, Endo is likely to be called upon further in the weeks ahead prior to the January transfer window opening.