Liverpool’s Midfield Dilemma: Do Endo and Elliott Fit Slot’s Plans | OneFootball

Endo and Harvey Elliott: Do They Fit Arne Slot’s Liverpool?

In the latest episode of Stat Me Up, Dave Davis sits down with Dr Phil Barter to break down the roles of Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott under Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot. With data-driven insights, the pair dissect whether these two midfielders have a long-term future at Anfield.

Endo’s Role: A Reliable Closer but Limited Starter

Phil Barter highlights a key factor in Endo’s game—his mobility. “Endo’s mobility, I think, is one of the major reasons why he is not more of a rotation option for Slot,” he explains. While Endo has been trusted in some key moments, his role seems increasingly defined as a late-game specialist rather than a consistent starter.

Barter delves into Endo’s defensive numbers: “85 tackles—that’s not necessarily a good thing for our six. Remember, our six should be blocking or intercepting, not making a tackle.” He goes on to outline Endo’s strengths and limitations, noting that his aerial ability is surprisingly strong given his height: “68% for aerial duels is very good, actually.”

However, Endo’s passing numbers raise concerns. “Progressive passes? He’s at 65 percentile—that’s not good enough for a six. He’s got to be making a load of pitch at,” Barter says, emphasising Endo’s struggles in progressing the ball effectively. His passing completion rate is solid at 89%, but as Barter puts it, “That’s kind of what you’d expect your six to do—keep it ticking over.”

Despite these shortcomings, Endo has found a niche under Slot. “When he’s coming on now for the last 10–15 minutes of a game, we haven’t conceded,” Barter points out. He stresses that Endo’s ability to shut down opposition attacks has been crucial: “Sign me up. If he’d done it at Everton, we’d have won the game. If he’d done it at Newcastle, we’d have won the game.”

Photo: IMAGO

Ultimately, Barter acknowledges Endo’s usefulness but sees him as a limited player: “He does have his plus points, but he is a very limited player. He’s got a useful role—see the game out, bring him on at 2-0, job done.”

Harvey Elliott: A Victim of Slot’s Tactical Shift?

While Endo has carved out a defined role, Harvey Elliott faces a different challenge. Despite his talent, Elliott’s playing time has dwindled under Slot. “Harvey hasn’t played for a while,” Barter notes, pointing to his mere 83 Premier League minutes this season.

A major factor is the competition for his position. “The role he would be competing with is most and Dom,” Barter says, referencing Dominik Szoboszlai’s emergence. “Dom is on demigod level this season.” With Szoboszlai thriving and Curtis Jones offering physicality, Elliott has struggled to break into the starting eleven.

Even when played out wide, he has not been convincing. “When he has played wide right, or anywhere near that area, it hasn’t really worked for him,” Barter admits. “I’m being kind to him.”

Statistically, Elliott excels in attacking contributions but falls short defensively. “Harvey, yes, he’s brilliant in that box area,” Barter says. However, his passing completion is a concern: “That’s low—48 percentile. Remember, ours are about in the 86–88 range.”

Defensively, Elliott’s numbers are underwhelming. “Blocks? Okay. Interceptions? 15th percentile. Clearances? Not great,” Barter lists. The contrast with Szoboszlai is stark: “Dom is better in a lot of elements. He gives us a lot more off the ball.”

What the Future Holds for Endo and Elliott

Both players, Barter argues, have found themselves at opposite ends of their careers. “Endo might actually be happy to just be the finisher—come on, see the game out, that doesn’t bother him,” he suggests. But for Elliott, the situation is different. “He’s 21, and to be playing 83 Premier League minutes this season after nearly 1,500 last season—that’s just not right for him.”

With Liverpool leading the Premier League comfortably, Elliott’s opportunities might become even scarcer. “Because we are 13 points ahead, the need for us to go and break glass potentially could reduce,” Barter points out.

Barter sees Elliott as a potential casualty of Slot’s tactical demands: “I think Slot has a physical profile that he wants his midfielders to have, and Harvey doesn’t fit that.” He goes further, suggesting that Elliott’s future at the club is in serious doubt: “I would be extremely surprised to see him at the club next season.”

Conclusion: Tactical Fit Over Talent

In summarising their discussion, Davis poses a final question to Barter: “Is it fair to say the biggest question mark against both those players is physical—mobility?” Barter agrees, pointing out that while Elliott shines when creativity is needed and Endo is invaluable for shutting down games, neither offers the consistency needed for big minutes under Slot.