Jurgen Klopp says’ exceptional’ £16m player has been impressing in training pre-Burnley

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has welcomed Wataru Endo’s return to the AXA Training Centre following his efforts at the Asian Cup.

The Liverpool manager, speaking to the Reds media team on Friday, says he is looking forward to having the “super-influential” midfielder back out in red.

Endo is now available for Liverpool after missing the past seven Reds games due to his participation at the Asian Cup.

The 31-year-old was on international duty with Japan, helping his country to the quarter-finals, where they lost to Iran.

Liverpool are up against Burnley in a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, and the stakes are high for the Reds, who lost to Arsenal last week.

Klopp will be without midfield trio Dominik Szoboszlai, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic, so Endo’s return and availability is especially key this weekend.

Asked how important it is having Endo back, Klopp replied: “Very. Yeah, from that point of view, it might have been the wrong point besides that we came through that period without him pretty well.

“That was pretty impressive. Wataru before he left was really super-influential on the pitch.

“He gave us the opportunity in a lot of moments to really involve and use a lot of offensive players around that because his protection was just exceptional. But the playing side of the game as well.

“[He] looks good since he is back, so he’s very important. How I said, with all the problems we have in the moment with players, it’s super important.

“Obviously Mo [Salah] is not back as well and that means we really need every player.”

Liverpool struck gold with Wataru Endo signing

It’s great to see Endo establish himself as a key player for Liverpool. When he signed in the summer for around £16million, there was criticism from some quarters.

The Reds had just missed out on the signings of Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, and news of a move for the then 30-year-old for a modest price tag raised some eyebrows.

Fast-forward six months, however, and Endo has been doing an amazing job at Liverpool. It took him a little time to acclimatise to Liverpool and the Premier League, but that’s to be expected.

Liverpool famously signed Andrew Robertson from relegated Hull City for £8million and he has become an Anfield legend.

Likewise, Georginio Wijnaldum joined from another relegated team – Newcastle United – and also became an Anfield icon.

So if any club knows how to spot a bargain, sign him and turn him into a Reds star, it’s Liverpool.