23 December 2023 , 14:43
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Wataru Endo says wearing a gumshield makes him "look like a fighter" as he explained how a meeting with a Japanese dentist led to him sporting the unusual protective device.
Endo joined Liverpool in a €18million (£15.4m) move from Stuttgart in the summer transfer window and fans were quick to notice he wears a mouthpiece during matches - a common sight in rugby but not something you see in football.
Explaining why he wears the gumshield, Endo told Sky Sports: "When I was in Germany, I met a Japanese dentist. He told me that to put [in a] mouthpiece [it] makes something different. About performance.
"But now, you know, I just put [it in] to protect my teeth. And also, it looks like a fighter. So when I go into the pitch I just put the mouthpiece on and it's like, 'Game on'".
Endo was brought in to fill the void left by Fabinho and initially struggled to nail down a permanent place in Jurgen Klopp's side.
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But the Japan international, who has netted twice for the Reds in all competitions this season, has started all of Liverpool's last three matches.
Wataru Endo says wearing a gumshield makes him "look like a fighter" (Getty Images)He said earlier this month: "Yes, it's harder than I thought, but I'm very happy to be here. Physically, it's speedy, so it's very hard to adapt but it's the Premier League and I keep trying and keep playing and I'll get better.
"I'm already 30 years old but I feel I have a chance to grow as a football player so I'm so happy to be here and I can improve.
"After I got here I had a talk with the boss about how Liverpool play. After that, I just try to do that and he talks a lot with me about it.
"Every time I try to help Liverpool play and of course, I always watch what they do from the bench. I think it is an important thing and I am getting better and better."