Van Dijk’s Warm Welcome for Endo at Liverpool Training
Liverpool’s towering defender, Virgil van Dijk, was in for a surprise during a recent training session. The scene? Wataru Endo, the club’s latest signing, in the midst of a head-tennis match.
Endo, who made his Liverpool debut just days ago, is already integrating with the squad. A recent training video from LFCTV showcased the 30-year-old Japanese international pairing up with Luis Diaz. Their opponents? None other than Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. As if the stakes weren’t high enough, Liverpool’s captain, Van Dijk, decided to join the audience.
However, things didn’t go as planned for Endo. A misjudged header intended for Diaz went astray, leading to a light-hearted moment. Van Dijk, with a chuckle, remarked, “What is this, Endo?”
Van Dijk’s Leadership Style
This wasn’t a critique from Van Dijk. Instead, it was a jovial gesture, indicative of the camaraderie within the squad. As the leader of the pack, Van Dijk’s presence might be daunting for newcomers like Endo. Yet, this incident paints a different picture of the Dutchman.
Unlike the stern leadership styles of Jordan Henderson or James Milner, Van Dijk exudes a calm aura. He’s the kind of leader who earns respect rather than imposing it. Whether it’s a conscious effort to make Endo feel welcome or just Van Dijk being himself, it’s evident that the Japanese international is in good company.
With such a warm reception, Endo is likely to feel more at ease as he prepares for the upcoming match against Newcastle.
Profile: Wataru Endō
Personal Details:
- Full Name: Wataru Endō
- Date of Birth: 9 February 1993
- Position: Defensive Midfielder/Centre Back
- Current Club: Liverpool, Premier League
- Nationality: Japanese
Club Career:
- Shonan Bellmare:
- Started his professional journey with Shonan Bellmare.
- Played a pivotal role in promoting Shonan back to the J1 League in 2014.
- Scored 23 goals in 167 appearances for the club.
- Urawa Red Diamonds:
- Moved to Urawa Red Diamonds after impressive performances.
- Won the 2016 J.League Cup and the 2017 AFC Champions League with the club.
- Netted six goals in 109 appearances.
- Sint-Truiden:
- Joined the Belgian Pro League team in 2018.
- Scored two goals during his one-year stint.
- VfB Stuttgart:
- Initially loaned to the German club in 2019.
- Made the move permanent in 2020.
- Played a crucial role in keeping Stuttgart in the Bundesliga during the 2022-23 season.
- Scored 15 goals in 133 appearances for Stuttgart.
International Career:
- Made his debut for Japan in 2015 during the EAFF East Asian Cup.
- Represented Japan in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
- As of August 2023, he has scored two international goals in 50 appearances.
- Appointed as the captain of the Japan national team in June 2023.
