Forgotten star suddenly set for Liverpool resurgence under Andoni Iraola

One forgotten Liverpool star is suddenly set for a key role under Andoni Iraola. This could be a massive change from life under Arne Slot.

Liverpool are now just a couple of weeks from the big kick-off. Exactly what their squad will look like is anyone's guess, though.

The Reds are yet to sort the futures of several players currently at the club, while we know they're in talks for at least two signings. We can also say with some confidence that midfielders aren't on the shortlist.

That's something of a surprise at this point. Liverpool were weak in midfield across last season, failing to control games with or without the ball. We imagined for months that they'd try to sign someone to fix that. Instead, they're focused elsewhere.

Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate leaving did force that admittedly. But still, Liverpool do not have a defensive midfielder and that's despite a new head coach who typically plays with one.

Andoni Iraola had Tyler Adams winning the ball back - something the Reds simply didn't have. Our model had Adams committing just shy of 12 weighted defensive actions per 90 minutes last season. Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool's most active midfielder defensively, offered a little over eight.

Adams actually managed even more the season before last, with nearly 14 per 90. Alexis Mac Allister led the way for Liverpool with 10.

Now, you do need to weigh in the fact that Liverpool have more of the ball than Brentford and that will mean more defensive work for the Cherries. But the point remains that this squad does not have a proper defensive midfielder going from last season's statistics.

Though, it does, doesn't it? Wataru Endo is exactly that - a player who can win tackles and get the ball back for his team. He was an above-average Premier League midfielder for weighted defensive actions in 2023/24, as well as above average for simply winning tackles.

The fact he hasn't done it since isn't because Endo has lost it - Arne Slot just didn't play him. He started 20 Premier League games in 2023/24 and just two since.

We fully expect Iraola to get more out of the Japan star. He's the kind of player the Spaniard likes to use and even if it's just for games here or there, we do think Endo starts more games and holds down a bigger role.

Of course, that would mean getting completely over this latest injury but if that happens, Endo may have a key part to play this season.