Liverpool star Wataru Endo scores for Japan in qualifier vs China

A number of Liverpool players are currently away on international duty and one star has already shone for his country.

Japan captain Wataru Endo opened the scoring for his nation with a powerful header as they took on China on Thursday.

It was the 31-year-old's fourth international goal and kick-started an impressive 7-0 win over China.

Endo has only featured once for Liverpool so far this season, with a one-minute cameo against Brentford, but will play a bigger role in the squad as the fixture list starts to get more congested.

The veteran midfielder signed from Stuttgart in 2023 and made 43 appearances for Liverpool last season, helping the team to lift the Carabao Cup.

READ MORE: Liverpool face injury blow during international break

Endo’s Liverpool role

Although he has barely featured in Liverpool’s impressive start to the campaign, Endo has been included in Arne Slot’s first Champions League squad and will likely gain more minutes as other players begin to fatigue.

Ryan Gravenberch looks to have adapted well to Slot’s system and is currently the preferred choice in the holding midfield role, but Liverpool came close to signing Martin Zubimendi this summer who can also play the position.

There was reportedly some interest for Endo in the summer transfer window but he will remain at Liverpool until at least January and, with Stefan Bajcetic leaving the club on loan, will probably be Slot’s second choice behind Gravenberch.

Other players on international duty

Endo is not the only Liverpool player whose national team is in action on Thursday.

Andrew Robertson’s Scotland will take on Poland in the first matchday of the UEFA Nations League, while Diogo Jota’s Portugal and Conor Bradley’s Northern Ireland will take on Croatia and Luxembourg respectively in the same competition.

Liverpool return to action when they host Nottingham Forest on 14 September and Slot will be looking to continue his perfect start to the Premier League campaign with another win and another dominating performance at Anfield.