Forgotten Liverpool player deserves his first start of the season vs Southampton tomorrow - opinion

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Liverpool have had such a strong starting XI this season that it has been hard for some players to break into their team.

So far, Arne Slot has made the Reds a success once again with six wins in all competitions this season, with a 2-1 win over Everton and an Arsenal draw securing them top spot in the Premier League, five points clear of their nearest rival.

It has not only been players who have been staples of the club, such as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who have made their impact on the pitch; there have also been summer signings ripping up Anfield.

Hugo Ekitike has been an incredibly important part of this team, making an impact with multiple goal contributions and playing so well that Alexander Isak will have to fight for his place.

Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

The midfield, though, is where the Reds have won their games, with Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai leading the charge in the engine room, but it has meant some players have been left on the bench.

There are some good backup options on the bench, like Curtis Jones, who has been used four times this season, but Wataru Endo has been left on the bench to be forgotten about.

The Japanese international was a brilliant bench player in Slot’s title-winning season, being brought on to control the tempo of the game and provide extra defensive cover when leading in games.

READ MORE: Arne Slot looks set to hand out at least two Liverpool debuts against Southampton in the Carabao Cup

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He even provided a perfect lobbed assist to Mohamed Salah for the fourth Liverpool goal against Bournemouth.

However, this season he has only made three appearances off the bench, if you count his brief cameo against Newcastle United, despite the need in some games where we have taken the lead for him to come on and be an extra man in the backline.

Sadly, he has not had his opportunity due to the qualities of the midfield and a more frantic, attacking approach in the second half than supporters are used to under the Dutch coach.

Fortunately, it is the start of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday with the first game against Southampton, and that has to mean Endo starts.

It is always seen as an opportunity for youngsters to break into the first team, but the 32-year-old needs some more game time, and he is the perfect calm figure, whether in the midfield three or as a centre half.

It would be a shame if he were not used in any way during the game, but a start means he will be able to show the manager that maybe his composed defensive displays could be helpful from off the bench in second halves where his side needs to shut off opportunities for the opposition.

In the past few seasons, the Reds have been able to either win the Carabao Cup or reach the final of the competition, and there is an argument that they can do it again.

There are more important competitions for Slot this season, but with the depth in this side and the talent in the youth department, it would be hard to argue that they will fail to reach the semi-finals at the very least.

It will be an opportunity for fans to see more of the talented Rio Ngumoha and Jayden Danns, as well as others who many may not be too familiar with.

If they do reach the final again, hopefully, there will be a change of tack from Slot, and the team can pull off a win they were unable to achieve against Newcastle.