Wataru Endo sends message to Arne Slot over Liverpool's problem position

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk missed the double header with Athletic Club through illness and Joe Gomez remains out through injury. While neither should be missing for long, Arne Slot is, clearly, light at center-back.

Trey Nyoni and Andy Robertson, an 18-year-old midfielder and a left-back, formed the first partnership at Anfield on Monday, and did well. Ibrahima Konate was the only senior center-back involved, with the Frenchman joined by Wataru Endo for the second game.

Amid interest in Crystal Palace and England ace Marc Guehi, another body could come in before the September 1 deadline. But Slot could also repurpose Endo, a midfielder who has played the defensive role at international level for Japan.

"I met with Arne [before he arrived at Liverpool] to try to get how he wants to play, to understand what his tactics are," Endo told the official LFC Magazine this week.

"That’s what I tried to adapt to in the training camp in pre-season because everyone needed to adapt to his football.

"We tried to do that last season, and it worked very well because we won the Premier League. When I spoke with Arne, I said I don’t mind where I play.

(Image: Getty Images)

"I can play as a six, at right-back or at center-back — I don’t mind and I will just always give 100 per cent to the team. I used to play center-back when I was in Japan, so I don’t mind where I play for Liverpool."

Given how little he played in his favored midfield role last season — a situation that is unlikely to change because of Ryan Gravenberch's quality and Dominik Szoboszlai's switch to playing deeper — offering himself up as an alternative further back could be sensible.

And given Van Dijk elevates the level of every player who he plays alongside, Endo could, almost certainly, get through most games, particularly at Anfield, in a slightly changed role.

"When the Liverpool fans sing my name, it is an amazing feeling for me," Endo added.

"I already had my song, and the fans are always singing my song in the last 15 minutes or whatever, especially when we are winning, and that is an amazing feeling. I feel like they really try to support me."

Liverpool.com says: Ideally, Liverpool would sign another center-back before the end of this month. Otherwise, it will be taking a huge risk despite all the good work that has been undertaken in the market.

Should the Reds go for Marc Guehi, he could be a good option at the right price. Anything more than $40 million (£30 million) for someone who can be signed for nothing next summer, though, would be an overpayment.

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