Wataru Endo is eager for more Wembley glory after last season’s Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea left him without celebration.
Despite playing on through injury and a last-minute winner from Virgil van Dijk in February 2024, he missed the post-game festivities due to a medical scan. On his podcast ‘The Red Machine,’ Endo shared: “In the second half, I think it was about 20 minutes in, I twisted my ankle.
“I felt pain but for me, I was like ‘I have to play until the end’. I just kept going and played all 120 minutes but I wasn’t there in the dressing room after because I had to do a scan. I didn’t even know the team was dancing together. The atmosphere was crazy.”
Although he hasn’t seen much Premier League play this season, with only 137 minutes under his belt, Endo has been key in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup success. He emphasized the importance of cup competitions for players who get less league time, saying, “I’ve played a lot of Carabao Cup games this season, which is very important for the other players that don’t play much in the Premier League.
“If everyone is ready we can achieve a lot of things together so yes, it’s a cup tournament but for the players every game is so important. I don’t play in the Premier League much but when I play cup games, I want to win them and I’m so happy to go to the final.
“Recently, the manager told me what I’ve done this season is really amazing and really helpful for the team because even though I haven’t had the chance to play a lot when I do, I always try and give 100 percent to help the team. The manager is very grateful for that.”
Endo’s impressive performances off the bench have made him a fan favorite at Anfield, and he’s grateful for the support. He said: “Yeah, I feel it a little bit because even this season, when I play on the pitch, the Liverpool fans always try to support me, and they always support me on Instagram and X as well. I think the fans love me.”
(Image: Michael Regan)
The versatile player, who can play in defensive midfield or as a centre-back, always prioritizes the team’s needs. He’s cautious about underestimating Newcastle in the upcoming match despite Liverpool’s recent 2-0 win over them in February.
Endo concluded: “Newcastle are a good team. It’s going to be a tough game for sure. But every time you play a final, it’s not an easy game. But we’ve also had a good start this season so we’re just ready for that and we’ll try to win the trophy. It’s going to be a very exciting game in my opinion.”
