Liverpool Fans Fume as Wataru Endo Struggles in Real Betis Friendly
Arne Slot’s first match as Liverpool manager didn’t exactly go according to plan, with the Reds narrowly beating Real Betis 1-0 in their opening pre-season friendly. While a win is a win, there were plenty of worrying signs for the Dutchman, particularly in the No 6 position.
Wataru Endo, signed from Stuttgart for £16.2m last summer, struggled to make an impact against the La Liga outfit. The 31-year-old gave away possession numerous times, conceded several free-kicks, and generally looked out of his depth. Fans were quick to take to social media to express their frustration, with one fan declaring, "Endo is absolutely horrific."
It’s hard to disagree. Despite scoring twice in 43 appearances last season, Endo’s performance was below par. He arguably overachieved in his first campaign at Anfield, but it’s clear that Slot has some serious thinking to do in terms of strengthening his midfield.
The manager himself acknowledged that there were "a few things we have to improve" after the match, but he’ll be hoping that his players can step up their game ahead of the new Premier League season. With only Stefan Bajcetic as a senior defensive midfielder at his disposal, it’s clear that the No 6 position is a major area of concern.
Liverpool fans are calling for a world-class midfielder to fill the gap, and it’s hard to argue with them. With Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia both opting for Chelsea last summer, it’s clear that the Reds need to be more proactive in the transfer market.
For now, it’s back to the drawing board for Slot and his coaching staff. They’ll be hoping that their players can improve significantly ahead of the new season, which kicks off on August 17 against Ipswich.
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