"To play for Liverpool is not easy" - Reds star opens up on conversation with Arne Slot over lack of playing time

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has opened up about his reduced playing time under Arne Slot this season. The Dutch coach took over the reins at Anfield from Jurgen Klopp during the summer, but he has found little space for the Japanese international in his lineups.

In the summer of 2023, Endo joined the Reds from VfB Stuttgart for around €19 million. He quickly became an important part of the squad under Klopp, playing 43 games in all competitions across nearly 3,000 minutes. He also notably started 20 Premier League games last season.

However, the 31-year-old's playing time has dropped dramatically. Under new head coach Arne Slot, he has played just nine games in all competitions, with a combined total of 167 minutes. Indeed, six of those games have seen him come off the bench in the Premier League, playing a total of 20 league minutes.

He has spoken about this lack of playing time under the new head coach, telling Red Machine - The Wataru Endo Podcast (via This is Anfield):

“I’ve talked with him, he told me the same thing he said in that interview. So, I think that’s what I need to do at the moment and I’m so grateful that he knows that I always try to work hard on the pitch.

“It’s good that he came to me to talk about that. To play for Liverpool is not easy, so the manager told me that we needed everyone.”

Wataru Endo is at the bottom of the pecking order at Anfield, with players like Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai enjoying more game time.

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Arne Slot speaks after Liverpool draw against Newcastle

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has spoken about their 3-3 draw with Newcastle United at St. James' Park on December 4. The Reds went into the game in search of a win to consolidate their seat at the top of the Premier League table. However, the Magpies were prepared to match their intensity.

Speaking after the game, Arne Slot told Amazon Prime (via BBC):

"I have mixed feelings, we were outstanding in the second half but we were not good enough in the first half. Maybe 3-3 is what the game deserved.

"They were really aggressive and forced us into mistakes but we were so much better in the second half. I knew the game could be changed around, we were much better with the ball."

Alexander Isak opened the scoring for the Magpies in the 35th minute, and the game went into half time with Newcastle leading. Curtis Jones equalized for Liverpool shortly into the second half (50'), but Anthony Gordon put the Magpies up ahead again (62').

Mohamed Salah scored the equalizer in the 68th minute, before adding what should have been a late winner (83'). However, an error from Caoimhin Kelleher allowed Fabian Schar to pounce in the 90th minute and force a draw.