Paul Merson has urged Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to start Wataru Endo against Manchester City this weekend.
Merson has been speaking to Sportskeeda and thinks Saturday’s clash would be ideal for the Japanese midfielder.
Liverpool head into Saturday’s game in exceptional form having won three of their last four Premier League games.
The Reds have only tasted defeat once this season and that was the controversial 2-1 loss at Tottenham.
Jurgen Klopp’s side look capable of challenging Manchester City once again after the German transformed his midfield over the summer.
Dominik Szoboszlai has already made a huge impact in the middle of the park, while Alexis Mac Allister has also impressed.
Wataru Endo is yet to nail down his place in Klopp’s side after a £16 million switch from Stuttgart over the summer.
There have been suggestions that he’s not quite at the required level to start regularly in a Klopp side.
But Paul Merson believes he’s the right man to start in midfield against City this weekend.
Merson urges Klopp to start Endo against City
Merson has backed City to beat Liverpool 2-1 in the early kick-off on Saturday.
But the Arsenal legend has urged Klopp to start Endo and push Mac Allister further up the pitch.
“In midfield, I’d probably play Wataru Endo and push Alexis Mac Allister in the ‘number 8’ postion,” Merson said. “He keeps the ball and that’s the kind of thing you want to do against Man City.
“If you want to beat City, you’ve got to capitalise on that extra pass that goes through the lines.
“You need players who can pick that pass. Endo is the man for me here because he is patient and there is the added advantage of unlocking Mac Allister’s full potential.”
Endo has only started a couple of games in the Premier League this season but did start from the off against Brentford last time out.
Klopp has often used Mac Allister in the No6 role, with Ryan Gravenberch also featuring. But Merson may have a point that this game could be suited to Endo’s qualities.
The 30-year-old excels at breaking up play and would offer Liverpool’s backline extra protection against the champions.
It would be a huge risk to play Mac Allister in a deeper role on Saturday and could leave Klopp’s side exposed in the middle of the park.