How Liverpool's Wataru Endo compares to Rodri, Declan Rice & Moises Caicedo this season

Liverpool were willing to go all out in their quest to replace the indomitable Fabinho in the summer of 2023.

Finding his replacement was a crucial part of their rebuild, as the club aimed to secure a player capable of anchoring their midfield for years to come.

But following failed attempts to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, the Reds ended the transfer window with the acquisition of the then relatively unknown 30-year-old Wataru Endo.

Fans were left underwhelmed, which seemed unfair to the former VFB Stuttgart midfielder, considering his impressive performance at the 2022 World Cup only six months before.

After taking some time to settle in, Endo was given a series of successive starts in December and quickly showed that he is exactly the profile needed at the centre of the pitch.

Among all their midfield combinations, Jurgen Klopp’s side look most solid with Endo playing and are yet to lose a league game in which he has started.

What initially appeared to be a panic buy now stands as arguably the signing of the season.

No longer in the shadow of giants

Fabinho was competent on the ball but had an immense ability to dominate aerial and ground duels in front of the defence. He was instrumental in the Reds having the best defensive record for three seasons between 2018/19 and 2021/22.

Endo presents a very different physical profile to the Brazilian, but shows better on ball quality and matches up defensively to the former Liverpool midfielder.

When comparing his numbers to Fabinho’s from Liverpool’s 2019/20 league-winning season, Endo comes out on top not just in most offensive statistics but also in some key defensive ones.

His growing stature within the quadruple-chasing Liverpool team was evident against Manchester City last weekend, where he put on a masterclass in single-pivot play.

Endo faced off against Rodri, the gold standard in his position. While the Spaniard excelled in most passing metrics, the Liverpool man boasted a better passing accuracy (95% vs. 87%) and wasn't dispossessed compared to the City number 16, who lost the ball twice.

In terms of defensive contribution, there was little to separate the two. Endo made more interceptions, won more duels, and wasn't dribbled past even once, while the City man made more recoveries and successful tackles in the game.

The Japanese international is proving to be the engine behind the team’s press, and has shown the calibre to disrupt even the likes of Martin Odegaard and Kevin de Bruyne.

Sometimes, it's just about executing the simple things well. Endo always seems to be positioned in the right place to recover second balls, is very secure when he wins possession, and can progress play just as effectively.

Endo more than holds up against Rodri, Rice and Caicedo

We are lucky to be watching some elite defensive midfield talents on display in the Premier League.

Alongside Rodri, Declan Rice has also elevated his game since joining Arsenal, driving them to the top of the table. A comparison to Caicedo is also intriguing, considering he could have been wearing Liverpool red if things had turned out differently.

So where does Endo measure up compared to them?

Despite not having the best technical prowess, the Japan captain fares very well on on-ball metrics. He is second to Rodri for passes into the penalty area and through balls, and only behind Rice for Expected Assisted Goals xAG - which looks a player's ability to set up goal scoring chances.

It is in his defensive output Endo where stands out even amongst the league’s best. Presently, the 31-year-old leads in clearances, passes blocked and aerials won per 90, and trails only Caicedo for tackles won per 90.

His excellent mobility enables him to cover a vast area in front of the defence, while his knack for anticipating danger ensures he is consistently positioned in the right areas to break up play.

Endo's defensive impact extends beyond winning his duels. His defensive actions lead to a shot 0.16 times per 90, which underscores his capacity to turn over the ball in dangerous zones and help his team counter attack.

Incredibly, he is never placed last and is either first or second in almost all metrics compared to his three counterparts.

Rodri and Rice bring world-class ball carrying ability to their team as well. While the Yokohama native’s lags behind here, this is not really something that he is asked to do - with the likes of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Jones fulfilling that role.

Liverpool may still be in the market for a long-term defensive midfield option, but their number 3 should continue to play a key role under the new manager and has set a good benchmark for what they will be looking for in that role.