Move over Cinderella, because Wataru Endo’s incredible rise to stardom at Liverpool is the new fairytale everyone’s chatting about. Who would have thought that a 30-year-old midfielder, initially met with a lukewarm reception, would become a key player and fan favourite at Anfield? It’s like the plot of a Hollywood sports movie, but with fewer inspirational speeches and more football boots.

Jurgen Klopp, the man with the charming smile and the animated touchline celebrations, has been singing Endo’s praises. In fact, after Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Burnley, Klopp was practically gushing over Endo’s performance. “Wataru Endo, my god what a game he played, eh? I would love to see that game without him, that would be really strange,” said Klopp to Amazon Prime. High praise indeed, coming from the man who once ran onto the pitch in celebration like a kid in a candy store.

Endo’s recent streak of five starts in just 13 days is a feat that hasn’t been seen at Liverpool since the 2005/06 campaign. That’s almost two decades ago! We’re talking about the prehistoric era of football, when hair was spiky, shorts were baggy, and substitutions were still a novelty. Endo’s stamina is truly impressive, especially in today’s game where players have more carefully constructed hairdos to worry about than ever before.

But hold on a minute, because here comes the plot twist. Just as Endo has found his rhythm and become a vital cog in Klopp’s machine, he’s about to pack his bags and head off to the Asian Cup with Japan. That’s right, the man of the moment will soon be trading the sea of red at Anfield for the colours of his national team. It’s like binge-watching a thrilling TV series, only for it to be interrupted just as the plot thickens. We need answers, we need closure, we need a promised season 2!

Klopp is well aware of the impending void that Endo’s absence will create, like the main character leaving a show mid-season. “It’s a bit of a shame he finds his feet and now he goes to the Asian Cup. That’s how it is, it’s fine. What a boy, what a player. Very important, but in January we have to play more or less without him,” said Klopp to reporters. He’s handling the situation like a true professional, but you can almost sense the sigh of resignation in his voice.

So, as we bid farewell to the current chapter of Endo’s journey at Liverpool, let’s raise a glass to this unsung hero of Anfield, and wish him the best of luck at the Asian Cup. Who knows, with a bit of luck and a sprinkling of fairy dust, this could just be the beginning of an epic saga in the world of football. Cheers to you, Wataru Endo!