Worry at Anfield, these will be all the games Endo will miss and so could affect Liverpool

During his first few games Wataru Endo left some doubts about his level, so Jürgen Klopp said it was a matter of adaptation, which was not a lie, as over time and thanks to Liverpool's saturated schedule, the Japanese has made a place for himself in Jürgen Klopp's team, as beyond injuries, Endo has adapted and his level has risen.

What has surprised everyone is that while he was expected to be a committed and serious player, Wataru is fantastic, as he provides leadership as well as being a player who knows what to do with the ball, has great vision and plays quickly without compromising himself. Wataru is a very efficient player, so his absence during the month of January and part of February is very worrying.

The games in which Wataru will be absent for Liverpool are January 7 against Arsenal in the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium; January 10 against Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield; then the Reds visit Bournemouth on January 21 in the PL; against Fulham on January 24 in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final; January 31 against Chelsea again at Anfield.

Those will be the January fixtures, however, he will also be absent for two matches, the first on Sunday 4 February against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and the closing fixture on Saturday 10 February against Burnley at Anfield. That makes a total of seven games in which the Japanese will be absent from Liverpool's line-up, with a return expected on Saturday 17 February when the Reds visit Brentford.

Anfield's biggest fears

The complex schedule ahead for the Reds during the AFC Asian Cup will mean that Jürgen Klopp will have to turn to a replacement, however this replacement will not be a player with defensive characteristics, as Endo is the only one with that ability at the moment, so this raises doubts about who can cover this position.