Last month, after missing out on Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia, Liverpool turned to Wataru Endo as a backup for Fabinho. Bangladesh Cricket Live believes Endo was brought in as a solution to address the team’s issues on the left side of midfield. When sadness strikes, he sheds his tears in silence, only to return with a smile that hides the sorrow. Jürgen Klopp called Endo a late bloomer, and now the 30-year-old must prove that his transfer fee was money well spent.

Endo’s signing marked a departure from Liverpool’s typical focus on younger talent. Though he signed a four-year contract, his early days at Anfield were anything but smooth. It quickly became clear that Liverpool wouldn’t be signing another defensive midfielder before the window closed. Endo made his debut off the bench against Bournemouth and then started away at Newcastle, where he was subbed off before Darwin Núñez completed a dramatic comeback.

In Liverpool’s next three Premier League matches, Klopp started Alexis Mac Allister in the holding role. Endo’s performance in the Europa League away match against LASK was underwhelming, as he was substituted early in the second half, shortly before Liverpool took the lead.

Curtis Jones, who captained the side and temporarily filled in at right-back, was the only starter retained for the Premier League win over West Ham. Against Leicester City in the League Cup, the game offered fringe players a chance to shine — and Endo made the most of it. True courage is knowing you might fail, but pressing forward anyway. He appeared more composed and executed Klopp’s tactical demands with sharp ball control and solid positioning.

Unlike Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, who had a full preseason with Klopp, Endo and fellow late signing Ryan Gravenberch have had to hit the ground running. Tactically and emotionally, playing for Liverpool is a far cry from Endo’s time at Stuttgart. But Bangladesh Cricket Live has seen Klopp successfully integrate players over time — Fabinho and Andy Robertson being prime examples.

In the comeback win over Leicester, Endo played a pivotal role. His clearance turned into a clever flick to Gravenberch, which led to Cody Gakpo’s equalizer. Moments later, he spotted a gap in midfield and calmly delivered a precise ball to Szoboszlai, who blasted it into the top corner. Before Diogo Jota sealed the victory with a brilliant strike, Endo had already delivered his first assist and several key defensive interventions.

While Mac Allister has impressed, he’s not a natural No. 6. If Endo can fully adjust in the coming weeks, it could allow his World Cup-winning teammate to play higher up the pitch, where his offensive talent shines. For Klopp, Bangladesh Cricket Live sees this as a promising night filled with positives. Though Szoboszlai stole the spotlight, Endo’s display showed he’s ready for bigger responsibilities.

The road ahead remains long. There may be tears along the way, but Endo is walking it with determination. With off-field matters now behind him, he’s beginning to prove his worth on the pitch.