Liverpool signed Japanese star Wataru Endo from Stuttgart this summer (Picture: AFP)
Jurgen Klopp says new summer signing Wataru Endo has ‘no clue’ on what Liverpool ‘actually do’ following Sunday’s 2-1 win at Newcastle United.
Liverpool announced the arrival of Japan international midfielder Endo nine days ago and after making his debut in the 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth last week, Klopp decided to hand Endo his first start in the clash at St James’ Park.
It looked to be a disastrous afternoon for Klopp’s side after going 1-0 down and being reduced to 10 men but Liverpool turned it around with two late goals from Darwin Nunez to take all three points.
Endo featured for the first 58 minutes before being subbed off and he was one of a number of players Klopp spoke about in his post-match interview.
‘Virgil’s really thankful [about the result after his red card] – it’s all good,’ Klopp told Sky Sports.
‘Players came on, Jarell Quansah came on. Joe Gomez came on early and played a super game, I’m really happy for him.
‘Endo has no clue on what we actually do. Macca and Dom as a double six were brilliant.
‘Diogo made a super impact. Sometimes these kind of stories get written, obviously I would be much more happy if we can finish a game with 11.’
Klopp lauded matchwinner Nunez after the match and revealed that the striker was ‘not happy’ about being benched, which left him ‘fired up’ when he came on against Newcastle.
Klopp also feels that Liverpool’s comeback was ‘more difficult’ than their famous Champions League win over Barcelona in 2019, when his side fought back from losing 3-0 in the first leg to win the second leg 4-0 and progress on aggregate.
‘It was much more difficult than the Barcelona game [in the Champions League],’ Klopp added. ‘Today was different. We didn’t start the game well, we conceded a goal and got a red card. Then we played better.
‘At half-time the feeling was there that something was possible. Nunez with a super performance. I don’t think we needed too much luck. We calmed the game down and brought on Darwin, he was obviously fired up from not starting. We had really good football moments. It was a super mature performance.
‘It’s clear [Nunez is] not happy [about not starting]. It’s early in the season, we need to find stability and results.
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‘He will play, there’s no doubt about that. We need everyone. We need to find a way of playing.
‘This is a new team with new key players. It needs time. He scores two goals and can’t get the smile off his face.
‘For the team, it was super important. You need these things together. You cannot force it. I enjoyed that in the last second.’
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Jurgen Klopp also lauded Darwin Nunez.