Arne Slot’s Blunt Answer on Why Endo Is Not Starting

Arne Slot has explained why Wataru Endo is not getting a look at Liverpool’s starting lineup, even with the side miserably out of form.

Endo has featured for only 216 minutes this season and has been an unused substitute in the last five matches, with his only starts coming in the Carabao Cup.

With Liverpool no longer in that competition, his opportunities have dwindled, though there have been calls for Slot to utilise his squad depth as his regulars struggle for form.

Ryan Gravenberch has struggled to replicate last season’s form, but to Slot’s eye, his countryman is not among his worst performers, and thus that leaves few chances for Endo.

When asked about the Japan captain’s lack of opportunities, Slot offered a to-the-point answer that left little room for discussion.

• READ: Liverpool Predicted XI vs. West Ham – 3 changes with Ibrahima Konate place in doubt

“I prefer not to talk about individuals but since you ask, he is in the position Ryan is in,” Slot said, via the Echo. “Ryan is not performing the worst from all of our players.

“That is Ryan’s best position and the same as Wata. When I used him (Endo) as a right-back against Bournemouth I got criticised, I got told I got criticised.

“Ryan is one of the few who has been fit throughout the whole season. That is the answer.”

With Slot unwilling to trust Endo, Gravenberch has started 14 of the Reds’ 19 games and completed the full 90 minutes on 12 occasions – neither of those substitutions led to the No. 3’s inclusion.

Slot gives little encouragement to fringe players

Slot has ruled out tactical changes due to the lack of training time, but also told reporters that his fringe players could “prove themselves in those moments.”

He has been resistant so far, with only 11 players starting 10 or more games this season, and his words ahead of the trip to West Ham offered little encouragement.

“I think you consider everything,” Slot replied when asked about making changes to his lineup.

“Until now I’ve decided differently, but they train with us every single day and they can prove themselves in those moments.

“It’s always a balance, if you don’t change people think you should change more.

“I think there was a period of this season where we lost and people complained about the fact I made a few changes too many, and there was never any time the same team.

“Of course I consider it, but I can’t tell you what the end product of that consideration is for Sunday yet.”