Andoni Iraola seems to agree with Arne Slot that one Liverpool player just isn’t good enough
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Liverpool fans have perhaps not noticed the differences they were expecting to see between Andoni Iraola and his predecessor Arne Slot so far this season.Iraola has tried to implement some changes in terms of shape and the way Liverpool operate off the ball, and he is also leaning more on the club’s youth team players already, but there are certain things which have remained the same.One of them is results, with the Reds still to get a Premier League win at Anfield, and another is the main personnel who Iraola is using, or rather, not using. Just as Slot did not rate Harvey Elliott, for example, Iraola has also sent him out on loan, while his refusal to use Wataru Endo during Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win against Tottenham signalled that he does not see the Japan midfielder featuring in his plans either.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Wataru Endo looks unlikely to play much this seasonHaving got himself fit for the end of pre-season, Endo would likely have been hoping to rack up some minutes during the early weeks of the campaign.The 33-year-old was barely used by Slot during his first season in charge, but still managed to make an impact as a player brought on to close out games, while he made only 12 appearances in 2025/26. After a change of coach, Endo would surely have been optimistic that he could make a more positive impression and play more.But despite the fact that Liverpool have badly needed a player of his profile to close the gaps in midfield, he is yet to play at all this season.
Iraola confirmed that Endo is in his plans after Saturday’s draw against Fulham, and it had seemed likely that he would feature for Tuesday’s clash with Tottenham, with the head coach resting his regular midfield starters.READ MORE: Ronald Araujo hailed for ‘brilliant’ unseen celebration of Dominik Szoboszlai’s belter vs TottenhamFor whatever reason, though, Iraola decided to overlook Endo in favour of Trey Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister, while Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai were brought on with Liverpool 2-0 up and half an hour to play. He has come back from the brink at Liverpool before, and he will certainly maintain his professionalism and keep working hard regardless, but Slot decided that Endo was good enough after just weeks at the club.