The defensive midfield position at Liverpool has been a hot topic of discussion among fans for the past 18 months, but surprisingly, there was little reaction to an early decision made by new manager Arne Slot . This decision highlighted the challenge facing a player who unexpectedly became a fan favourite last season.
Despite Alexis Mac Allister's absence - he was still celebrating Argentina's Copa America victory - and the lack of other senior options for the defensive midfield role, Slot chose not to start with Wataru Endo in the friendly match against Championship side Preston North End on Friday, which was played behind closed doors.
Yes, it was just a warm-up game. However, the starting XI could arguably be considered the first choice from the players available to the Liverpool head coach.
The match also provided the first chance to see what Liverpool might look like under Slot, as the Dutchman continues to settle into his role after taking over from Jurgen Klopp . So, the fact that Endo didn't line up for kick-off was interesting. Curtis Jones instead took on the role of defensive shield, as he did occasionally last pre-season, reports the Liverpool Echo .
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The Japanese international didn't have to wait long to get involved - he replaced Dominik Szoboszlai after 33 minutes and ended up playing for just under 45 minutes, like most of the other players. But if we take this at face value, it could be an early sign of what Slot expects from those playing in the deeper midfield role. Indeed, the task may not necessarily fall on one individual, as Slot has demonstrated a more fluid midfield setup at Feyenoord compared to Klopp. A double pivot also presents various personnel options for both midfield and attack.
Last season, Liverpool heavily relied on Trent Alexander-Arnold's transformation into an inverted right-back, reducing the need for two deeper midfielders. However, circumstances meant that the Reds couldn't fully commit to a regular number six. In the Premier League , Endo started 20 games in this position, Mac Allister managed 17, with Joe Gomez stepping in for the victory at Nottingham Forest in March.
While Mac Allister's overall game undoubtedly improved when pushed further forward with Endo behind him - and the Reds seemed more solid defensively - the Argentine grew into the number six role and is technically superior to the Japanese player. This could be the direction Slot wants to take, especially when there are two players in the central position.
Endo has certainly shown his mettle in the Premier League, bouncing back after a shaky start at Liverpool. His take on potential new midfield signings? He's all for it. "I think it would be better to get the number six midfielder," Endo stated. "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."
Liverpool's tactical versatility was on full display in their match against Preston, especially in the second half which featured a mix of youth and squad players. They kicked off post-interval with a 3-4-2-1 formation, where Endo was paired with Tyler Morton in central midfield. Later, following Endo's substitution, they reverted to a classic 4-3-3, allowing Kaide Gordon to shift from an unfamiliar left wing-back role to his natural position on the right wing.
The youngsters made quite the impression in the Preston clash, with 17 year olds Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo standing out in midfield and defence respectively. Stefan Bajectic also turned heads, playing further upfield than his usual 'number six' spot, hinting at his potential to break into a regular starting berth.
However, that's a story for another day. The immediate focus for Liverpool fans, and indeed the recruitment team, is how Slot plans to bolster the midfield in the coming weeks - with particular attention on Endo.
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