Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has confirmed his stance over an exit from the club as speculation over his future continues to grow.
The Japan international has only been a bit-part player under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot at Anfield and started just one Premier League match in the Reds' triumphant 2024-25 campaign.
While Endo has never been seen as starting material at Liverpool, he remained a useful figure off the bench for Slot last term, making a total of 32 appearances across all competitions.
However, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are all above Endo in the pecking order, and the Reds have also been strongly linked with an approach for Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton.
At 32 years old, Endo is not a long-term option in the Liverpool engine room either, and French giants Marseille tried their luck with an offer for the midfielder last summer, which was turned down.
Endo: 'You can expect me to stay at Liverpool'
© Imago
The former Stuttgart man will be entering the last two years of his Liverpool agreement this summer, but as far as he is aware, he will continue to compete for titles on Merseyside in 2025-26.
"I've heard about it (transfer speculation). Everyone's talking about it," Endo told the Abema Times. "My friends contact me, even my family is like, 'so what are you going to do?'
"And yeah, sometimes other players ask too: 'Are you going to be here next year?' Especially after the middle of the season. But I just say, 'as far as I'm concerned, I'm staying.'
"Well, yes (I am more interested in playing for Liverpool than leaving). I think Liverpool is a club that is worth that much. If you ask me if I want to throw away the chance to play for Liverpool and move to another team, the answer is no.
"I believe that focusing on how many titles I can win with Liverpool will be the best thing in my career. Yes, you can expect that (me to stay with Liverpool). For now."
Endo makes "not satisfied" admission despite desire to stay at Liverpool
© Imago
However, having only been awarded a paltry 260 Premier League minutes over the course of the campaign - as well as 140 minutes in the Champions League - Endo admitted that he could hardly be happy with his playing time.
"I kept thinking about how I could contribute to the team in the situation I was in. Of course, I'm not satisfied, but I think it's one way of contributing to the title," the midfielder added.
"When we were winning, I would come on at the end and make sure we brought home the three points. In a way, it was a role that I earned for myself."
Liverpool paid Stuttgart a modest £16.9m to sign Endo in the summer of 2023, since when the 32-year-old has contributed two goals and one assist in 75 appearances for the Reds in all tournaments.
Endo could be one of two Liverpool midfielders to have their futures called into question, as Tyler Morton also found himself on the fringes of the first team before missing the second half of the campaign with a shoulder problem.
Ben Knapton
