Wataru Endo already sent clear transfer message to Arne Slot as Liverpool rejects bid for midfielder

Wataru Endo has already told Arne Slot he needs to sign a new defensive midfielder this summer as Liverpool could face further offers for the Japan international.

Liverpool has rejected a $15.2m (£11.8m/€14m) bid from Marseille for End o. However, “a higher offer could tempt the Reds to sell,” according to journalist David Lynch .

Endo delivered a disappointing first half performance in the Reds’ first friendly of the United States tour. He was described as “a bit sluggish” in our post-match ratings for the 1-0 win over Real Betis , with the Japan captain giving the ball away in dangerous situations on more than one occasion.

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The 31-year-old was overshadowed by Trey Nyoni , with Stefan Bajcetic and Tyler Morton also collecting better scores in the analysis of the game. However, Endo is arguably the only experienced defensive midfielder at the club. Even before this recent news broke, he suggested Liverpool should sign another player in his position.

Endo spoke to MSN earlier this year. “I don’t care about those reports, but I also think it would be better to get a No. 6 midfielder,” he said. “I think there is a possibility that they are viewing [Alexis] 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,” Endo added, and so it proved for the former Spanish international who has since retired.

“We also have [Bajcetic], but it’s still unclear as to whether he will be able to contribute immediately. Considering my age, 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,” he continued. “So I’m not really worried about it, and in fact, I think it might be OK if I win!”

As Endo was benched against Preston and poor against Betis, his chances of winning with Slot may already be waning. He has the right attitude in terms of welcoming competition for his place in the team, but will it be enough to keep him at Anfield ?

Liverpool.com says: Aside from when on international duty, Endo was unavailable for just two Liverpool games last season due to injury. Had he not been so resilient, Jurgen Klopp would have had to find alternate solutions due to a relative lack of options in the former Stuttgart midfielder’s position. Most Reds fans would agree with Endo that Liverpool needs to sign a ‘number six’, especially before it considers losing one.