Jurgen Klopp clarifies Wataru Endo comments as LFC boss admits he's "not happy"
Jurgen Klopp has hit back at questions over Liverpool new boy Wataru Endo.
Endo, 30, emerged as a surprise transfer target for the Reds after they lost the services of Fabinho to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad. The Japan international has been eased into life at Anfield, though, since swapping Stuttgart for the Premier League.
Klopp raised eyebrows when he claimed the fact that Endo is "very calm and polite" had "cost him the first two weeks" prior to the midfielder's impressive performance in the 3-1 win over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
The German has now clarified those comments by insisting that he was not surprised to see the veteran star in midweek. Speaking ahead of Liverpool's trip to Tottenham on Saturday evening, Klopp also stressed that any new recruit needs time to settle in.
He said: “I was not surprised [by his performance]. I was not too happy how I described the situation [with his previous comments on Endo]. I am not a native speaker. Dom and Macca have just stepped in and clicked. If we don't give people time anymore what world is this? Endo is a top guy.
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“All the attention was on Dominik [Szoboszlai's] goal but the pass was just as good. A top, top pass. Passes we missed in the past, that is the truth. Endo is in a good way and I am really happy for him to show it in the second half.”
Endo played the full 90 minutes against the Foxes in midweek. It remains to be seen whether he will retain his spot in the team, though, against a Spurs side who have been reinvigorated by new head coach Ange Postecoglou.
Join the debate! What have you made of Endo's start to life at Liverpool? Let us know here.
Jurgen Klopp has insisted he is more than happy with Liverpool new boy Wataru Endo (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)Klopp was full of praise for the Australian ahead of the match, adding: “Tottenham are doing really well Ange seems to be a top bloke. I’m looking forward to meeting him.
“I’m pretty sure everyone knew already when you saw Celtic playing in recent years what kind of coach he is and who he is as a coach coming out to Tottenham where I think they were all desperate for some offensive football and he’s delivering that obviously.”
“In a year where Harry Kane left the club, he’s doing extremely well. They’re a well set up team. It's exciting to watch so yes, it will be a real test for both of us.”
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