Wataru Endo offers honest transfer tip to Arne Slot that may cost him Liverpool place

Wataru Endo has urged Arne Slot to sign a defensive midfielder this summer even if it costs him his spot in the Liverpool starting line-up. The Japanese international was the only defensive midfielder by trade at the club last summer - which took its toll on the player.

Liverpool recruited heavily in the midfield last summer as the likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departed the club. Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch were signed as their replacements, although gaps within the middle of the pitch remained.

Endo, 31, operated as the only defensive midfielder for Jurgen Klopp last season, which eventually impacted the player and his body. This included being used for the full 120 minutes of the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea and was sidelined for the next game after limping away from Wembley Stadium.

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Fast forward to the present day, Endo is now pushing new boss Slot to sign some reinforcements in the area so the same mistake is not made next season. “I don’t care about those reports, but I also think it would be better to get a No. 6 midfielder,” he said via MSN. “I think there is a possibility that they are viewing Mac Allister as a No. 6, but at the moment there aren’t many No. 6 players to begin with.

“I had the most opportunities to play, and so did Mac Allister. We also had Thiago Alcantara, but he had a lot of injuries and is set to leave the club at the end of this season.

“We also have [Stefan Bajcetic], but it’s still unclear as to whether he will be able to contribute immediately. Considering my age [at 31], I think it might be OK for me to get the No. 6.

“But if it ultimately makes the team stronger then I’m all for it because there will be competition and I just have to win my position again. So I’m not really worried about it, and in fact, I think it might be OK if I win!”

Liverpool has already been linked to players such as Atalanta duo Teun Koopmeiners and Ederson, who are both capable of playing the role. However, a move is yet to materialize.

Liverpool.com says: Although Mac Allister can play in the position, if Liverpool really want to compete next season, Slot will need him in his preferred position. Stefan Bajcetic has also missed nearly a season of action so will take some time to get back to match sharpness. Accounting for these factors - as well as Endo being the wrong side of 30 - means it almost seems inevitable that the club will invest in a new defensive midfielder.