WE’LL FIGHT TO THE
Wataru aiming to box clever after shock loss
AS befits a midfield war- rior complete with his boxer’s-type gumshield, Wataru Endo was badly bruised by Liverpool’s shock emphatic defeat against Atalanta.
Now the Japanese international – who has become a firm Kop favourite following his bargain £18million arrival from VfB Stuttgart – promises that Jurgen Klopp’s side will come out fighting against Crystal
Palace this afternoon. “We will be fine but we need to stick together,” he said.
“Thankfully we have another game coming up quickly and we have to be ready for it.”
Back at Anfield, where the stunned fans could hardly believe their eyes as a side sixth in Italy’s Serie A dismantled Endo and company in their Eurpoa League quarter-final first leg on
Thursday, inflicting the first home defeat of the season, Liverpool will be seeking instant retribution.
Endo also insists that the setback won’t derail the desire to fete Klopp’s farewell next month with the German’s second Premier League title.
But there can’t be any slipups in the run-in, which comprises seven games starting with the visit of Oliver Glasner’s Eagles. “We need to try and win every game,” Endo added. “It’s important we have a number of injured players coming back.
“We want to make it up to the fans after what happened against Atalanta.”
Diogo Jota, out for two months, and another longterm absentee Trent AlexanderArnold were involved on Thursday night and will be in the frame to start against Palace, while missing keeper Alisson is back training again and could be available. Endo admits there can’t be any mental hang-ups from the Atalanta humbling.
“We were all disappointed in the dressing room after the game. We have to be in the right mind. Everyone has to give off positive energy,” he added.
“Palace are a tough opponent to play. But we are at Anfield again and we have to start strong and be better offensively than we have been in the