Liverpool hint at new Wataru Endo role as news confirmed
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Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Imago
Edward Bazeley
Thu 4 September 2025 8:49, UK
Liverpool have named Wataru Endo in their squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign.
Having won the Premier League title last season, the Merseyside outfit are vying for European glory this term and have confirmed the pecking order of their senior stars..
Arne Slot has utilised the summer transfer window to bolster his chances of winning the Champions League for the first time in his career, while Liverpool sealed their move for Alexander Isak on deadline day.
Meanwhile, the Reds’ first game of the European campaign sees them host Atletico Madrid on 17 September.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
While Slot secured his move for Isak, Liverpool’s deal for Marc Guehi collapsed on transfer deadline day.
Amid their Guehi blow, Endo has been listed as a defender in UEFA‘s official Liverpool Champions League squad, hinting that the defensive midfielder is set to adopt a new role for Slot’s men this season.
The 32-year-old initially came on as a right back in the Anfield club’s opening Premier League game against Bournemouth, following Jeremie Frimpong’s injury, before switching to midfield.
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Endo was also utilised as a centre-back last season, on a few occasions when Slot chose to rotate his Liverpool squad.
Credit: Imago
Football Insider verdict
Even though fellow right back Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid at the end of last season, Conor Bradley’s place in the Anfield pecking order has not improved, thanks to Frimpong’s summer arrival.
Conor Bradley statsPremier League 2025/26Appearances1Minutes played10Goals0Bradley has endured a lack of game time this term
Meanwhile, despite Frimpong’s injury, Bradley had to watch on as an unused substitute when Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 on Sunday, 31 August, with Slot selecting midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai in the right back spot.
Those developments have left Bradley’s chances of earning regular game time this season looking bleak, while the decision to utilise Endo as a defender will only exacerbate that.
Therefore, the Northern Ireland international, who has played just 10 minutes of competitive football this season, could be left concerned.
Meanwhile, Slot’s men are set for a vital run of fixtures once they return from the international break, as they strive to continue their winning run in the Premier League, as well as progress in the Carabao Cup and make a strong start in the Champions League.