Jurgen Klopp praises Liverpool star who could have won MOTM award against Burnley

Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on Wataru Endo for his performance against Burnley as Liverpool secured a hard-fought 2-0 win at Turf Moor. 

Starting in midfield alongside Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch, Endo kept the game ticking for Liverpool in the centre of the park and was heavily involved in the build-up to Diogo Jota's late goal, as he put his body on the line to pinch the ball back for his side.

Virgil van Dijk was officially named Man of the Match after another imperious display at the back, but Klopp admitted in an interview with Amazon Prime after the game that the Japanese international could've been in contention for the award.

He said (quotes via BBC Sport): “Another player who could have been in contention [for MOTM] was Wataru Endo. What a game he played!"

Elaborating on Endo's tidy performance, Klopp praised the summer signing for finding his feet during the festive period, although he rued the fact that the 31-year-old will be unavailable in January as he is set to represent Japan at the Asian Cup.

Klopp added: “I loved his game, I have to say. It’s a bit of a shame he finds his feet and now he goes to the Asian Cup. That’s how it is, it’s fine. What a boy, what a player. Very important, but in January we have to play more or less without him.

“But against Newcastle, he is still here and then the boys [Endo and Mo Salah] leave and we have to find another way, and we will. For the moment, I am really happy for him. Took him a little bit to really show how good he really is, but now we can see it. I’m really happy about that.”

Liverpool will be without Endo after the Premier League clash against Newcastle United on New Year's Day, but Alexis Mac Allister could give the Reds a timely boost as he edges closer to returning to full fitness.