"He shows up for the team" - Arne Slot explains why Liverpool star 'deserves' to start against Brighton in Carabao Cup clash 

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has lavished praise on Wataru Endo ahead of their Carabao Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday (October 30). The Dutchman has explained why he believes Endo deserves more game time this season.

The Merseysiders have had a great start to the 2024-25 campaign, winning seven of their first nine Premier League fixtures. Liverpool were leading the standings before dropping points in their 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the weekend.

Endo, however, has struggled to play an established role, with Slot preferring the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones in his debut campaign at Anfield.

The Liverpool midfielder has made just five appearances in all competitions this term, starting just one fixture for the Reds. However, Endo's fortunes seem likely to turn around soon as Slot has lauded him for his professionalism.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the Brighton clash, the Dutch manager said (via Empire of the Kop):

“I really liked him against West Ham and what I admire about him, what I respect about him, is his personality because two times he had to come in five minutes before the end and in my managerial career I sometimes have seen that players who, if they come in five minutes before the end, they come in with a face like this and play like that."

"But every time when we need him – even if it’s for five minutes – he shows up for the team, for his teammates and for himself. Also for that reason, he deserves to play tomorrow.”

Endo has amassed just four minutes of action across the Premier League and the Champions League for Liverpool this season.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot explains what makes Brighton 'special' ahead of Carabao Cup clash

Arne Slot waxed lyrical about Brighton ahead of their Carabao Cup clash this week. The Liverpool boss has detailed what he feels makes the Seagulls so special.

Brighton appointed 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler as head coach in the summer. The German is the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history and the Seagulls have had an excellent start under their new young boss. Brighton are sixth in the league table, having won 16 points from nine fixtures and are just two points off of the top four.

Speaking in the aforementioned press conference, Slot said (via Liverpool's official website):

"Very good idea about football for many years already. I like their playing style a lot with their former manager already and with this one as well. And I think what makes the club Brighton, in my opinion, special is that maybe [they do not have] the most money in the league when they buy the players – but they always find the right ones"

"So, there is a lot of quality, although also for them the transfer fees go up a bit but they are not spending £100 million on a player. They always find the right ones. So, many quality players to pick and a very good playing style."

After their clash in the Carabao Cup, the Seagulls and the Reds will clash in the Premier League on Saturday, November 2.