17 Aug 2023 11:43:21
Yesterday I posted that I didn't belong in stats as they can make a player look better than they are am not sure if they can do the opposite. I don't think good players have bad stats and if this is anything to go by I feel even less confident about Endo.

Per 90mins last year

Passes attempted 45.6
Completion 79.9%
Tackles 2.1
Interception 0.82
I don't think they look great.

1.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 11:49:11
He was playing the one of the worst teams in the league, with inferior players around him.
If Klopp and the data people rate him then he must be decent.

2.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 11:51:14
Well that's that then grino.

Shame we've wasted money again.

No point watching the chap pull on the shirt.

3.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 11:59:34
Only thing we can do is assess him on what he does for LFC.

4.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:01:31
different league different tactics stats are pretty pointless.

5.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:07:24
If Carlsberg made entitled fans.

6.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:11:17
I know nothing about the lad but the Stuttgart fans on r/ soccer seem genuinely gutted he's gone and Bundesliga watchers seem to think he'll surprise PL fans. Given these sentiments I'm quietly happy with the business providing we'll continue to work on other deals.

7.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:26:38
I hope am wrong and he turns into a great success and this is not a dig at the player this is a dig at the people making these decisions. I know by the type of people the Japanese people are he will give his all every time he steps on the the pitch but this to me seems like we could have had dani alves for £12m but we got Jermaine Pennant instead. If this goes wrong and we miss out on champions league football again to the likes of Newcastle Man Utd and Chelsea with the spending power we are going to be on the outside looking for a long time.

8.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:35:05
Arsenal finish second Once, need a midfielder and sign Declan Rice

What are we doing?

9.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:41:56
Well if he does turn out a good player for us your attempts to undermine him before he has kicked a football with negative stats - that you didn't have to post and then try to justify by saying you hope he does well (what rubbish) - will make you look a right plonker won't they!

Just wait until the end of the window, give it 10 matches, then share your views when they may have some validity.

10.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:45:49
Grino. You could see a race horse moonwalk and you wouldn’t crack a smile. As for on the outside looking in claim. Where have you been? We have been outspent by city Chelsea and Utd and arsenal for years yet still competed. It’s not money it’s picking the right players. Your head must be bursting go and break.

11.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:47:46
We avoiding overpaying for a player who wanted Arsenal.

12.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:48:55
Grino - if you're this easily convinced against your own principles, then I think it might be time to give this one a rest.

13.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:52:18
I'm sure there's a pun to be had about Arsenal signing Rice and us only signing someone from Japan.

14.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:59:26
Salah's last season at Roma - 19 goals
Salah's first season at Liverpool - 44 goals

Stats do not mean everything.

15.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 13:07:02
It is strange how -
we bought two players at the start of the window and we were contenders,
two players left that a lot of fans wanted gone and then we were in trouble,
bid for two players that went elsewhere and we were embarrassing losers,
looks like we are getting two players in and they won't be good enough for some.

16.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 13:07:24
Signed two midfielders already liverpoolfc8 and are on the verge of one more with, by all accounts, one more still to come.

Given you spent last season moaning how crap every midfielder was and wasn’t fit for purpose you will likely end up with four new ones and that still won’t be enough.

Maybe next Christmas write to father kloppmas and give him your wish list and maybe, just maybe, you might be satisfied.

17.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 13:16:15
Stats Schmats ?‍♂️.

18.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 13:20:03
Not pretending to be an expert on Endo but watched a few games for Japan in the Asian Cup, wc qualifiers and world cup and I rate him. A stand out in a strong Japanese side. Captain for club and country. The foreign player count is a worry given we still need a CB and possibly another midfielder. Endo can play across the midfield and CB, I believe but haven't seen. An experienced leader who will set the standard for the young players. Lots of positives.

19.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 13:26:23
Regardless of stats, it does smack of despairation by the club. I would doubt they had this guy lined up and scouted as a potential replacement. So with that in mind you would be concerned if he’s good enough?

You never know tho, maybe he can excel with better players around him. His age doesn’t really concern me, more his ability ?‍♂️.

20.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 13:32:18
Exactly Rover. People are lauding the club like we have been planning to get him for years. Utter desperation. wouldn't have signed had we signed one of Lavia / Caicedo.

21.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 13:37:30
Wataru Endó vs Bundesliga midfielders since the start of the 2020/ 21 season:

◉ Most possession won in defensive 3rd (254)
◉ Most aerial duels won (219)
◉ Most clearances (175)
◉ Most headed clearances (105)
◎ Second-most touches (6511)
◎ Second-most passes completed (3940)
◎ Second-most possession won middle final 3rd (404)
◎ Second-most tackles (208)

22.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 14:00:29
Habibi- literally absolutely no Liverpool in the known universe is lauding the club like we have been planning to get him for years. Literally. No. One.

But thank you, I know understand how you, grump and others roll. You just make up the narrative in your head then pass it off as fact. It’s sad, but yeah anyways.

It’s not the endo the world as we know. So wataru going to do bout it!?

23.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 14:07:34
@Habibi. how do you honestly know that we wouldn't have signed Endo had we signed Lavia/ Caceido

We will probably add another midfielder, so Endo is an "also" not an "alternative"

24.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 14:09:14
Defensively those stats are similar to Lavia. On top of that he made more key passes than Bellingham in the league last season.

25.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 14:40:47
We replace Hendo with a 30 year old Endo and the world is ending apparently.

Casemeiro, Varane, Thiago Silva, Kovacic, Jorginho, Ronaldo, Thiago Alcantara, Wilson, Trippier etc have all been signed by Liverpool, City, United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle in recent years. Contrary to popular belief, a players career does not end when he turns 29/ 30 years old. I really think some people need to get their head out of video games sometimes. In real life, people don't start decreasing in rating at a definitive age.

26.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 14:41:08
@Habibi, nobody is lauding Endo's arrival so enuff with the rubbish. The fact that none of us knew he was even part of the list shows again, that nobody knows anything about anything regarding LFC's transfers. All people are doing are giving their opinions on the player and what he can bring to the team. Others can disagree and that is fine. Smae old rubbish you keep spouting just like Harry, really. Are you him, by any chance?

@LFC08, we already signed 3 midfielders and will prolly sign more as time goes on. And a big fat NO, we will not spend money on your splurges/ fantasies like Rice (who ain't worth that amount either cos nobody is) cos and this may be hard for you to grasp, the club does and will not do it's business based on your myopic preferences and LONG may that continue.

27.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 14:55:01
@LiverpoolFC8, wha if i tell you Endo is better than Declan Rice?

28.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 15:38:49
I found this on a fb post from a Japanese Liverpool fan. Hope it's fine to post, but I thibk it's brilliant

1. He is versatile and fills so many of our problem positions and he will do so with discipline. Predominantly a defensive midfielder and we will come on to his qualities there, but he is very capable at CB having started his career there (left sided centreback to cover Van Dijk) and can play both fullback positions. He is a lot more vocal than Gomez, Ibou or Matip so he would fill in that leadership role and his English is not bad. For someone who is 5'10, he is absolutely dominant in the air. Reminds me of Roberto Ayala in that regard.

2) Liverpool and Klopp specifically, hoards captains such as Robbo, Salah, Van Dijk, etc and Endo is both captain of Japan and Stuttgart and he leads by example as well as vocally. Just rewatch the World Cup and him getting everyone into shape and leading the warm ups and cool downs. He will be the one that leads the youngsters through the games in the early cup rounds.

3) He is MEAN and a total hard nut boss. Minamino is super nice and super shy and probably a cute teachers pet. Endo is a straight edge player and won't take crap from any opposition and slacking from any team member. His obsession with winning is scary. Think about it, a Japanese fella, waltzing into the German league and taking the captaincy. He really is like Milner in this regard.

4) He is 30 years old. People are saying it as a negative. Remember, Mourinho and Conte love the 30 year old proven quality players, as they know the role, have seen everything and played on the biggest stages and can be relied on to be disciplined. You also know how they react and perform historically and not just a 1 season wonder or with limited stats like Lavia. These players are bought to win NOW. Remember how upset Conte got at the up and coming Djed Spence (big resale value, big potential etc) .

5) Every squad needs players with huge availability and ability. He is never injured. He is of the Park Ji Sung, Nicky Butt, Conor Gallagher, Gilberto Silva, Henderson, Wijnaldum type mould where they are not the super flashy players, but they absolutely will TANK the opposition, retain the ball, keep things going and play the water carrier role.

6) He is 2 footed and CAN SCORE. He is a baller, not just a destroyer. Don't be confused because he is aggressive, persistent and a great tackler. He has the streetballer vibe like Suarez where it doesn't always look conventional, but he caresses the ball with finesse. He scored the crucial goal to keep Stuttgart up from relegation.

7) Stuttgart fans are DEVASTATED to lose him. That means a lot. Its not a split fan base decision, they all love and respect him so much and what he means to them as a person and as a player. Additionally, there is no doubt Klopp follows the Bundesliga and will know all about Endo in depth. Jorg will have run the rule as well and decided together, that Endo can help us NOW. You think Klopp will give the green light for a stop gap, when he wants to win things this season?

8) The price of Endo does not dictate his ability. He has a year left and it was his dream to play in England and win something big. He is without a shadow of a doubt, a better player than Lavia right now, which is what is really important for the current season.

9) He wants to play for Liverpool and came at the first calling. Never forget reds, how much that intent actually means. A talented, earnest, quality player, who will do as Klopp wants, has the ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate a game with 110% effort and endeavour and has come from the Bundesliga which stylistically, is the most similar league to the Premier League, so will take minimal adjusting. He also will not try to run when Madrid and Barcelona come flirting like a certain Caicedo and will not complain about game time potentially like a Lavia who didn't want to play second fiddle.

10) This is what we wanted for Bajcetic. To give him a chance to be eased into the team and claim his place when he has the consistency and fitness. Endo will fight for his life for the team and his place, but would be the top cheerleader for Stefan if he breaks through. A real team player.

11) Endo was in our eyes, the player of the match in the wins over Germany and Spain and shackled Luka Modric like a mad dog. There are not many players who are as slippery and as quality as Luka.

12) Endo's signing pays for itself with commercial ventures. Future generations of Japanese super talents will want to follow in his footsteps and the technical talent and mental fortitude of Japanese players is a trademark!

29.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 15:43:49
Go Ed Olired lad tell him mate.

30.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 16:13:49
Red Viking, I'd be ecstatic if Endo was even half of all the things you've mentioned. People use Klavan and Adrian as examples to put other plays down; not having the slightest idea that having squad players or even starters who excel in some crucial basic football abilities is all that you need to be successful. We won titles with players like Henderson, Wijnaldum and Milner in that midfield. Players who were never spectacular; they just did a few basic things really well. And that's all you need.

31.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 16:15:57
Red Viking - thanks for the time to write that out - excellent summary.

32.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 18:27:32
Just to clarify. These comments were from another fan on a fb page. But I thought it was brilliant and well worth sharing. As you say ArAy, if he is even half of that, he sounds like he'll be a great asset. It could be a blessing in disguise that we got pushed to this signing (unless it was planned all along) .
I hope it brings some positivity to the posts anyway, give the guy a chance to prove himself and give the young players a chance to come up.
Personally i can't wait to see him play, i've seen a few highlight reels as well (I know I know) and he does seem like the type of player described. So let's get behind him and hope we've discovered just what we needed.

33.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 19:40:13
IMO, Anyone who continues to think till this day and despite the examples of the contraty, that the price of a player actually dictates his ability as a footballer should go read the book or watch the movie named Moneyball.

Or better yet search the BloodRed podcast episode on youtube where Billie Bean the creator of the Moneyball concept, was interviewed and he broke it down.