Wataru Endo drops 'tough' hint about Liverpool future after holding talks with Arne Slot

Wataru Endo has been limited to a bit-part role under Arne Slot at Liverpool this season

Wataru Endo has insisted he is happy at Liverpool despite his lack of game-time, admitting he has spoken to Arne Slot about his bit-part role. The Japan international has made 23 appearances so far this season, but has failed to start a single Premier League match.

Making six starts in all competitions, only one has come in the Champions League and that was in the Reds’ last league phase match against PSV Eindhoven when already guaranteed a top two finish.

The 32-year-old was the subject of a rejected bid from Marseille last summer, and his long-term Anfield future remains uncertain given his limited role.

But Slot has always praised the Japanese’s mentality and attitude, with the Liverpool head coach using Endo more from the bench since the turn of the year.

Speaking ahead of the Reds’ Champions League round-of-16 clash with PSG, Endo admitted it is tough not playing that much for Liverpool. But having held talks with Slot on more than one occasion, he insisted he is still happy at Anfield.

“Yes, I have conversations with the manager,” he revealed. “A few times in the season. But he always told me that my attitude and what I have done to help the team is always unbelievable.

“I feel like he trusts me a lot at the moment. I'm happy to be here. I will keep working hard in training and working hard on the pitch as well.

“Yeah, it's a little bit tough for me because I don't play that much. But the thing I can do is to help the team. My idea is very simple - I always try to help the team.

“If I have a chance to play, I just go all in. That's what I'm thinking always and I’ll keep doing that.

“I think now, I often come on for the last 15-20 minutes. Especially when we are in winning situations.

“It's to help my team-mates on the pitch. It is very simple to do my job but also very difficult to do. That is what I always think, to come into the game.

“I think I've been playing well so far and helped the team in the games. I keep trying to play well when I have a chance to play.”

He continued: “I think not only now but I think we have confidence to play. To play for Liverpool, you need to have confidence to play.

“You always have to try and win and give everything for the team. As a player, I always try to play with confidence and try to win all games. That is the mentality of being at a big club like Liverpool.

“Everyone is ready to play the game, even if you don't start the game or not. We are all ready to fight and to show ourselves on the pitch.

“I think that is one reason why we have done well so far. We are going to keep working hard, concentrating on the pitch until the end of the season.”