Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he is "pretty sure" that midfielder Wataru Endo will sign a new long-term contract with the club.
After missing out on a number of midfield targets last summer, the Reds decided to spend around £16m to lure Japan international Endo away from Stuttgart.
The 30-year-old initially had to patiently wait for regular first-team football an Anfield, but due to the club's lengthy injury list, he has cemented his place in Klopp's midfield over the last few months, making 28 appearances in all competitions.
Endo was a key and experienced cog in a relatively youthful Liverpool machine that secured a slender 1-0 victory over Chelsea after extra time in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.
Liverpool's No.3 played the entire 120 minutes at Wembley Stadium and put in a tireless display to help the Reds claim their first major piece of silverware of the campaign.
After the match, Klopp heaped praise on the "exceptional" performance of Endo, who was later pictured leaving Wembley on crutches after allegedly suffering a knock to his ankle.
The German boss, who will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season, has labelled Endo a "machine" and he is optimistic that the midfielder will extend his contract at the club.
"I said a couple of times we are lucky (to have Endo)," Klopp told reporters. "I am pretty sure in three or four years Wataru will sign another long-term contract at Liverpool."
"He might be 30 or 31 in the passport but he is not, he's a machine. Footballing wise he is exceptional, defensively insane. Yeah... very helpful."
Liverpool are currently in no rush to tie Endo down to fresh terms as he is due to see his current contract expire in the summer of 2027.
The Reds have three first-team players in the form of Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip and Adrian who, at present, will see their contracts expire in June, and there have been no recent hints to suggest that any of the trio will soon pen fresh terms.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are believed to be confident of agreeing new deals for Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, who are all out of contract in the summer of 2025. body check tags ::
