Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on Wataru Endo after dominant show against Chelsea as he questioned the Japan international’s real age.
The Liverpool manager called Endo a “machine” after he displayed a dominant performance in the midfield against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday at Wembley.
Liverpool won that game; 0 – 1.
However, Jurgen Klopp also spoke highly of the midfielder’s football acumen and work rate on the pitch and questioned whether the Japan international was actually 31 years old.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Klopp said, “I’m pretty sure in three [or] four years Wataru will sign another long-term contract at Liverpool.
“He might be 30 or 31 on his passport but he’s not.
“He’s a machine.
“However, he is footballing-wise exceptional.
“His defensive brain is outstanding.
“He gives us a lot of freedom for a lot of things.
“Yeah, top development.
“Very helpful, very helpful.”
After the final was over, the former Stuttgart player was spotted leaving the stadium on crutches as he suffered an ankle injury from a Moises Caicedo challenge.
The Chelsea player was also at fault for tackling Ryan Gravenberch which led to the midfielder being stretchered off the pitch in the first half.
However, the Reds will be next seen in action on Wednesday as they take on Southampton in an FA Cup fifth-round clash.
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Also, it could prove to be a difficult encounter for Klopp’s men as they have a long list of injured players which includes stars like Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and now Gravenberch and Endo.
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