Wataru Endo explains why he hasn't spoken to Arne Slot and makes honest Rio Ngumoha admission
For the likes of Accrington, Salford and Tamworth, the third round of the FA Cup means something very different to their respective opponents, Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs. Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola have already taken the opportunity to rotate their starting XIs heavily and Ange Postecoglou no doubt will too.
Winning by a combined scoreline of 12 goals to nil, Liverpool and Manchester City breezed past League Two opposition on Saturday. In the process, they also managed to give a vital rest to some key players and put some minutes into the legs of those who might well be needed more often in the second half of the season.
Wataru Endo, certainly, is one of those who hasn't featured as much as he would have liked for Liverpool under Slot. But this week, he has relished the chance to come into the team and help out — mainly filling in at center-back.
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"I used to play as a defender when I was 18 to 25 years old so for me, I don't mind if I play center-back or number six — I just do my best," he told reporters, including from Liverpool.com, at Anfield. "We played well. The players who haven't played constantly got minutes, so that is an important thing for us.
"It's an honor to play as the captain — I think for about 20 minutes — and I just try to concentrate on my performance. Of course, we won so that is also important. But as you say, everyone got minutes so that is also important for the team to achieve something for this season."
Endo had played just 294 minutes for Liverpool this season heading into 2025. But with injuries and illness at the back, he has emerged as a suitable option to fill in there, playing a substantial part in two of the three games to date.
"I don't get frustrated about [not playing]," he continued. "I always just try to be ready for the team, to help. Of course I want to play every game but we need everyone. The thing I can do is prepare for every game [in case] I have minutes.
"I don't discuss with the manager about my position but Joe [Gomez] has an injury and Ibou [Konate] is just coming back, so we don't have a lot of defenders. That is why I played as defender but I think he also thinks putting me as a defender is a good option to play his tactics, so I hope I have a lot of minutes more than before. As I said, I just get ready for every minute I get."
While Endo needed minutes for rhythm, at the very start of his career, Rio Ngumoha became Liverpool's youngest-ever starter. He was only in the team because Federico Chiesa has been ill and was unable to play more than 45 minutes, but the winger, signed from Chelsea in the summer, certainly made the most of it.
"He played very well," Endo said. "His dribbling is amazing. My son is 11 years old so it is just five years difference and I can't believe I play with him!
"I'm so happy that he made his debut and I think it was a special moment for him. He also said it is just the beginning so I think he needs to keep working hard. He always trains like that so for me, I'm not surprised that he played like today. He needs to keep going, and I think we can help as well."
