Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has rued the timing of Wataru Endo’s form as he prepares to head off the Asian Cup in early 2024.
The Reds picked up another win on Tuesday evening, beating Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor.
Liverpool were rampant in the first half but only had a 1-0 lead thanks to a lovely Darwin Nunez strike.
Burnley put real pressure on the Liverpool goal and Reds fans would have feared being made to pay for not finding a crucial second goal.
That goal did arrive in the end though as Diogo Jota came off the bench to announce his return from injury in style.
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo
Liverpool had to dig in and withstand some Burnley pressure in the second half, so Jurgen Klopp will love the clean sheet.
A key factor was the performance of holding midfielder Wataru Endo.
The Japan international was outstanding against Arsenal on Saturday evening and turned in a strong display against Burnley too.
Endo racked up four successful aerial duels, three clearances, two key passes, one interception and one shot on target in a mine display in Lancashire.
Klopp has now moved to praise £16million summer signing Endo – but with a tinge of sadness too.
The Liverpool boss told the club’s official website that he absolutely loved what he saw from Endo at Turf Moor.
‘What a boy and what a player’ said Klopp, marvelling at how Endo has become ‘very important’ at Liverpool.
The problem is that Endo is set to leave for the Asian Cup – and Klopp feels that is is a shame to see Endo find his feet in the Premier League, only to then leave for a number of weeks.
“I loved this game, I have to say,” said Klopp. “It’s a bit of a shame how he found his feet and now he goes to the Asian Cup but that’s how it is, it’s fine. What a boy and what a player and very important. At least in January we have to play more or less without him but against Newcastle he is still here.”
“Then the boys leave and then we have to find another way and we will. But for the moment, I am really happy for him. It took him a little bit [of time] that he really showed how good he really is, but now we can see it and I’m really happy about that,” he added.
How many games will Endo miss?
The Asian Cup gets going on the 12th of January in Qatar, but selected players will be jetting off to training camps before the tournament.
Japan will be one of the favourites and they should coast past Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam in Group D.
A run to the final would see Endo in action for Japan until the 10th of February, ruling him out of multiple Liverpool games.
As Klopp highlights, Endo will be able to face Newcastle United on Monday but then he will go, missing the FA Cup tie with Arsenal.
Endo would then miss both legs of the EFL Cup semi-finals against Fulham as well as Premier League games against Bournemouth, Chelsea, Arsenal and Burnley.
That’s seven games without Endo if Japan make it to the final, and some Reds fans may selfishly hope that Japan crash out early in order for Endo to return to Merseyside.
The post 'A shame': Klopp already gutted as Liverpool prepare to be without 'very important' £16m player appeared first on HITC.
from HITC https://ift.tt/3CKFGz5
No comments: