As the dust settles on Liverpool’s exhilarating Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea, manager Jürgen Klopp has been heaping praise on Wataru Endō for his stellar performance. The 31-year-old midfielder was instrumental in the Reds’ triumph, prompting Klopp to jest that Endō should be rewarded with a lengthy contract extension given his significant contribution to the squad.
Endō demonstrated exceptional stamina in the face-off with Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea, but his exertions resulted in an injury scare for Liverpool, as he exited Wembley Stadium on crutches and sporting a protective boot. This development raises concerns about the team’s fitness levels as they navigate a demanding season.
Klopp expressed his admiration for Endō’s abilities, stating: “I’ve said it a couple of times, we were lucky, we bring him in and I am pretty sure in three or four years Wataru will sign another long-term contract at Liverpool because he might be 30 or 31 but he is a machine. Football-wise, exceptional; defensive brain outstanding. Gives us a lot of understanding for a lot of things. Top development. It’s just very helpful. Very helpful.”
In addition to lauding Endō, Klopp also acknowledged the influence of matchwinner Virgil van Dijk on Liverpool’s youthful squad. He suggested that the Dutch defender had gleaned a vital lesson from his last-minute extra-time goal that clinched the victory — never give up; there’s always an opportunity to win the game.
Van Dijk had found the net earlier in the match, but his goal was disallowed due to an offside call against Endō, who had obstructed Levi Colwill. Despite this setback, Klopp maintained his faith in his players’ abilities.
Commenting on Van Dijk’s performance, Klopp said: “From the moment Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool FC, he’s been exceptional. Even in his less impressive moments, when the media criticized him for underperforming, he remained resilient. He’s human, after all. Thankfully, he’s currently in top form, and we rely heavily on him.”