Midfielder was impressive in Bundesliga and captains Japan but Asian players rarely get the credit they deserve

Some have suggested it was a panic buy. Sky Sports said that you had to feel for Liverpool’s fans and one UK newspaper talked of “an initial sense of shock mixed with hints of ridicule and even despair”. It reflects a fairly underwhelming response to Wataru Endo arriving at Anfield. After missing out on Moisés Caicedo the move may have lacked a certain glamour and excitement especially when it involved a 30 year-old player but it also does not help that he is Asian and from a part of the football world still underrated. If Endo had been Argentinian, German or French it is likely there would have been far more fanfare.

Yet the versatile defensive midfielder is a top-class player, one of the best in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart. In the last two seasons in Germany he won more aerial duels than any other player in his position, had more clearances, more headed clearances and ranked highest for possession won. If that wasn’t impressive enough he was second in terms of touches, tackles and passes. It should also be mentioned that being the captain of a club in one of the big five European leagues – no mean feat for an Asian player given the huge cultural differences they encounter on and off the pitch – shows a certain level of professionalism, leadership and determination.