14 December 2023 , 19:09
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Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen pointed the finger at Wataru Endo as the Reds endured a difficult night against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League.
Jurgen Klopp's side had already qualified for the knockout stages and the Liverpool boss used the opportunity to give a host of young players an opportunity, with the likes of Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon and Conor Bradley getting a chance to impress.
There were some senior inclusions in the starting line-up, including Endo, who has failed to nail down a regular starting spot since his summer move from Stuttgart.
But Owen was not impressed with the 30-year-old's role in USG's second goal, after Jarell Quansah had cancelled out the home side's opener.
Endo failed to track opponent Cameron Puertas as he made a run forward and the USG star then fired a low drive from outside the box that evaded Caoimhin Kelleher just before the break.
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Speaking on TNT Sport, Owen said: "He lets his man run for the second goal, Puertas just gets off the back of him. All of a sudden Konate gets drawn out wide, then Quansah has to come across and it is a domino effect. I think Endo really should have stuck with his man."
It was one of Endo's last involvements too with the midifelder withdrawn at the interval alongside Ibrahima Konate, with Joe Gomez and Ryan Gravenberch entering the fray.
It is not the first time Owen has raised eyebrows about Endo's displays, having previously suggested he has not done enough to become a regular starter under Jurgen Klopp.
Endo in action against USG in the Europa LeagueSpeaking back in November, the former Reds striker said: "I would guess that he'll be slightly disappointed at the moment. There's no natural sitting central midfielder really in that Liverpool squad bar him. Yet they're moving Mac Allister into that position in the big games, So I'd say he's probably a little bit disappointed he hasn't made that position his own.
"In that sitting midfield role, it's probably a step down from Fabinho, who obviously they lost in the summer. I think it's a position which is up for grabs. He'll be keen to grab that. He's not set the world alight so far but he's done all right."
Endo did have a strong impact off the bench against Fulham earlier this month, scoring four minutes after coming on. He will hope to be involved when Liverpool face off against Manchester United this weekend.