Two of Japan most celebrated current internationals will be in opposition on the South Coast this evening
But that Wataru Endo will start for Liverpool while Kaoru Mitoma most likely sits on the Brighton bench says much about the respective Premier League campaigns of either player.
The Amex Stadium is the venue for the League Cup fourth round tie, the first part of this week's double header between the teams who meet again at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
With Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones having emerged as the main contenders for the three midfield roles,
Endo has previously dismissed suggestions of leaving Liverpool in January and believes game time will be in the offing given the length and intensity of the season
Arne Slot admits keeping happy the 31-year-old midfielder - along with the likes of Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah, who are both expected to start tonight - isn't straightforward.
Slot
"It is not always easy because they all want to play – and it would be strange for me if they are all happy (when) they don't play,"
"But they are professionals, they know these things can happen and they also see the players who play in their positions do really well.
"So, that is mostly with Wata but it is also with Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah, that they are in competition with Virgil (van Dijk) and Ibou (Konate).
“So they understand and they see how well these players play and that they also stay fit until the last minute of the game.”
"But I think Wata is one of the players that might be in the line-up (against Brighton) because the season is going to be so long and we will need him during the season. Therefore, once in a while he needs this playing time as well."
Endo's only other Liverpool outings this season have been four substitute appearances in which he hasn't been brought on earlier than the 88th minute
In recent away games at Crystal Palace and Arsenal, Endo's ability to hit the ground running and help strengthen the defensive midfield effort has not gone unnoticed.
Slot added
"Fortunately he has this playing time with the national team, but it helps if he once in a while gets a game with us again,"
"I really liked him against West Ham and what I admire about him, what I respect about him, is his personality because two times he had to come in five minutes before the end and in my managerial career I sometimes have seen that players who, if they come in five minutes before the end, they come in with a face like this and play like that.
"But every time when we need him – even if it's for five minutes – he shows up for the team, for his team-mates and for himself. Also for that reason he deserves to play tomorrow."
Comments