The Arne Slot REJECT Liverpool now can't afford to lose

Arne Slot has his favourites at Liverpool. One of those he hasn't been all-in on simply has to stay, however.

Arne Slot settled on his favoured players at Liverpool quite quickly. Ryan Gravenberch, for one, went from being a squad player last season under Jurgen Klopp to playing every important minute under Slot.

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It's something that might, if we're honest, come back to bite Liverpool. Gravenbech has had an intense workload.

But he's not the only clear favourite. Ibrahima Konate started the season as second-choice behind Jarell Quansah. It took just one game for him to earn his place as Virgil van Dijk's partner, however, and the Frenchman hasn't looked back.

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Up top, it's pretty clear that Darwin Nunez is not the man for Slot. The Dutchman has actually preferred Luis Diaz in a central role over the fully-fit Uruguayan and it leaves us wondering if there's actually a future for Nunez beyond this campaign.

But even Nunez isn't the most interesting of the Slot rejects. There's one player who simultaneously can't get a game but is also far too important to ignore.

Wataru Endo must stay

Wataru Endo has not been fully accepted by Slot. It appears he simply doesn't trust the Japanese international and while he talks up Endo in the press, actions speak louder than words.

Endo started 20 Premier League games in his debut Liverpool campaign. He played just over half the available minutes in the top-flight under Klopp as he established himself as a brilliant defensive midfielder.

Under Slot? Endo hasn't started a single one of Liverpool's 25 Premier League fixtures. His total minutes in the league are 106 - so slightly more than one fixture's worth.

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Those minutes are spread across 11 games, too, so even in the fixtures Endo does play, he's averaging under 10 minutes. It really couldn't be more clear that Slot doesn't fancy him as a regular player.

But he does still use Endo. He's the player Liverpool throw on late in games to tidy things up, to solidify results. We saw it most recently against Wolves as Slot put Endo into the game as the visitors mounted a fight-back.

Endo helped stop that and Liverpool got the three points.

And that's the story here. Liverpool have won all but one of the fixtures in which Endo was a substitute. The only dropped points came away at Arsenal as he played the final minute.

It does work and we imagine Endo will become an even more valuable weapon as the season goes on. Liverpool will tire - directly as a result of Slot having favourites, admittedly - and the games become more intense.

That's exactly when you need a player like Endo. Someone who can secure the game and do the job without any fuss.

If it's truly a role he's happy with, then Endo is absolutely someone you keep around. Liverpool would struggle to find someone who matches his work ethic, his ability and his experience.

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Especially someone willing to offer all of that with such limited time on the pitch.

Endo is simultaneously a player Liverpool don't have much time for and one they cannot afford to lose. We've already seen how important he can be - the business end of the season will make him look invaluable.

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