'Had to understand' - Wataru Endo on what changed at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp message

Not even donning the most rose-tinted of spectacles could persuade any Liverpool supporter to view the positives after their team dropped into the Europa League when finishing outside the top four last season.

The Reds, though, have been sure to embrace the unique openings offered by featuring in the Continent's secondary knockout competition. And few have made more of those opportunities than Wataru Endo.

Indeed, it says much about the progress the Japan international has made during his debut season at Anfield that, having started all six group games in the Europa League, there will be many who hope he is wrapped in cotton wool when Jurgen Klopp's side take on Sparta Prague in their round of 16 first leg at the Stadion Letna this evening.

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Such is the importance Endo has assumed in a Reds side that, with a record 10th League Cup already tucked away in the trophy cabinet, continues to pursue an unprecedented quadruple.

The Europa League has thus far been a bit of a rollercoaster for the defensive midfielder. He struggled on only his second Reds start in the win at LASK Linz, but was surprisingly replaced at half-time in the home win over Union Saint-Gilloise after a much better showing.

However, there were contrasting fortunes against Toulouse, when a debut Reds goal at Anfield was followed by a poor performance in France that again saw him hooked at half-time. Endo also managed only 45 minutes in the loss in the dead rubber at Union before Christmas, although that was more for rotation purposes.

That collective time on the pitch had nevertheless