Jurgen Klopp has admitted Wataru Endo made his Liverpool debut in ‘horrible’ circumstances, claiming the 30-year-old had ‘no clue what to do’ in the situation.
Endo sealed his dream move to Anfield on Friday from Bundesliga side Stuttgart on a long-term deal.
He was immediately included in the Reds’ matchday squad for their second league game of the season against Bournemouth at Anfield.
A red card to Alexis Mac Allister forced Klopp to send Endo on for his debut with 10 men and 30 minutes left to play but the Japan midfielder impressed in his first outing as they won 3-1.
“Horrible [circumstances]. First game, coming in, and I think we saw Harvey [Elliott] is in a really good moment but Harvey came on as well in this game and was running left and right and then his heart rate was 240 probably and that was pretty much the same for Endo,” Klopp said.
“It was two days he had so no surprise that, [while] he did absolutely alright, he came there [and] had no clue what to do. I spoke this morning with him about how with 11 players his position would look, but a 4-4-1 was not involved in our conversation.
“That’s it now. I don’t think he slept a lot in the last two nights so he came on now and threw everything on the pitch he had and that’s it.”
Luis Diaz was on the scoresheet again for Liverpool, making it two goals in two games as the Merseysiders picked up their first three points of the new season.
“When Lucho is fit, I think nobody has any doubt about his quality. It was an exceptional goal he scored, an absolutely exceptional goal,” the German added.
“Top-class, in a very good shape, but the second half was really tough for him as well. Being part of this new midfield, that was really hard for him and you could see that.
“Besides that, as long as he was fresh and everything he was obviously super, super. A massive threat for everybody. He is in a good moment, no doubt about it.”
Read More Liverpool Coverage:
- Watch Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth Highlights – Reds Get Vital Win Despite Mac Allister’s Harsh Sending Off
- Jurgen Klopp Has Given An Injury Update After The Bournemouth Game
- Liverpool Vs Bournemouth Player Ratings; Front Three On Target As Reds Gain Three Points
- BREAKING: Liverpool to Sign Midfielder Wataru Endo for £15million
- Report: Fiorentina Midfielder Sofyan Amrabat Is Close To Joining Liverpool
- Report: Cheick Doucoure And Boubacar Kamara Are Admired By Liverpool
- Report: Liverpool Expected To Try For Bayern Munich Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch