Wataru Endo 'confident' Liverpool will continue title charge despite key absences in January with Mohamed Salah away

Wataru Endo believes Liverpool will continue their excellent run of form over the next month, despite the absence of himself and Mohamed Salah.

Salah has already met up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, while Endo will soon be flying to Qatar to captain Japan at the Asian Cup.

Both players could potentially be absent until mid-February, depending on how far their respective teams progress.

They leave Liverpool in a purple patch, with Jurgen Klopp’s side currently top of the Premier League after an unbeaten run stretching back to the start of October.

Endo has played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s success, stepping in for the injured Alexis Mac Allister after initially struggling to adapt to the Premier League.

The 30-year-old, whose recent performances saw him named Liverpool’s player of the month for December, admitted he had mixed emotions about reporting for national duty.

"Of course I want to stay here but as a national team player it is important for me as I am captain," Endo said.

"I am now focused on the national team and just doing my best. I want to have good results at the Asian Cup, but that'll mean I have to stay longer in Qatar.

"But Macca [Mac Allister] has come back now, so I can just stay focused on the national team. I'm sure we [Liverpool] will play well, 100%.

"I want to come back with the Asian Cup title. I'm confident Liverpool can do well in the absence of Mo and I."

Endo featured heavily during a congested schedule over the festive schedule, admitting it was "tough" but "amazing".

"It has been the toughest Christmas and new year in my life but to play football is amazing so I’ve enjoyed it also," he said.

"It’s a very tough schedule but I needed to keep playing. Playing the games is the most important way for me to improve.

"We have so many injured players. I was thinking, I am a very important player on the pitch so I needed to show why I came here.

"The team played well and I also played better than before and we are now top of the table so I feel I did my job. I feel like I’ve got to grips more with playing in England.

"Confidence is a big thing also. The manager has shown a lot of faith in me. The other players know me better now as well."

Liverpool’s first match without Salah and Endo will be a FA Cup third-round encounter against Arsenal on Sunday, January 7.

Their next Premier League game is against Bournemouth on January 21.

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