Hotshot newcomer Wataru Endo (30, Liverpool) has been named to the substitutes’ bench.
Liverpool will face Bournemouth in the second round of the 2023-2024 Premier League season at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on Sept. 19 at 11 p.m. (ET). Ahead of the match, the Reds revealed their starting lineup.
Going with a 4-3-3 formation, the Reds line up with Luis Dias-Diogo Jota-Mohamed Salah up front and Cody Gakpo-Alexis McAllister-Dominik Soboslaj in the middle. Andrew Robertson-Virgin van Dijk-Ibrahima Konate-Trent Alexander-Arnold make up the back four, with Alisson Becker in goal.
The substitutions were more notable than the starting lineup. Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo, who joined Liverpool from VfB Stuttgart on August 18, was included.
Having sold key defensive midfielders, notably Henderson and Fabinho, the Reds were also keen to sign Moises Kayser, but were unable to secure the services of a first-choice defensive midfielder when he left for Chelsea. Instead, the Reds turned to Endo, who anchored Stuttgart’s midfield.
Wataru is primarily a defensive midfielder, but he is a versatile resource who can also play in central defense, right-back, and central midfield. Since joining Stuttgart from Sint Maarten VV in 2019, he has made 133 appearances in all competitions and has also shown leadership as the club’s captain.
The transfer fee for Endo, who signed a four-year contract, is estimated to be £15.4 million ($26.3 million), according to reports from multiple media outlets in England.
Earlier in the day, South Korea national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann said, “I don’t know if Endo will always start. But he is a leader. Even if he starts from the bench, he will do his job for Liverpool,” he said, praising Endo’s leadership. 파워볼사이트
