Wataru Endo has been voted Liverpool’s Standard Chartered Me𝚗’s Player of the Month for December.

The midfielder claims the prize for the first time after topping a fan poll on Liverpoolfc.com, finishing ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah in second and third respectively.

Endo, who arrived at the club from VfB Stuttgart in August, was a standout performer in all eight of the Reds’ fixtures during the period.Collecting the award at the AXA Training Centre today, the No.3 said: “I’m so glad to be chosen as the Player of the Month. I hope this is just one of many!

“December is a very important month, also for me, because we had so many injured players and I knew I needed to show why I’m here.

“It’s a very tough month but the way we played and how we showed on the pitch was great, in my opinion.”

Endo began the month with a crucial cameo off the bench in the come-from-behind 4-3 win over Fulham, scoring a wonderful curler in front of the Kop to draw Liverpool level.

He then started the next seven fixtures as Jürgen Klopp’s me𝚗 achieved victories against Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Burnley.The 30-year-old, who is now set to link up with Japan for the AFC Asian Cup, continued: “My first [Premier League] goal against Fulham was [a] great [moment] and the atmosphere at Anfield was amazing. That was a special moment for me.

“It was a difficult situation for us because we were 3-2 down and we just needed to score. I came in and played for this crowd. It was also a surprise for me to score! But I was so happy.

“I needed time to adapt so the most important thing was to keep playing, in my opinion.

“In December I just kept playing the games and I had to keep playing because we had many injured players. So I was a little bit lucky but I just needed to keep playing I think.”

Why you voted for Endo

Jimbo: A great player! Love him! He is a main man in midfield.

Thom Quinn: He’s been bossing the midfield. What a player. So glad we have him at Liverpool.

Nigel Coady: Played all the games, vital job breаking up play and contributed with a great goal v Fulham.

Reece Daniels: He’s a proper quality midfielder and always putting in the graft.

Jeffrey Varner: Has really grown into his place in the team at a very crucial time, scored and been a solid rock in the CDM role.

James Ellis: The guy’s been absolutely solid, getting better and better with every game. First nаme on the teamsheet for me.

Standard Chartered Me𝚗’s Player of the Month 2023-24

December: Wataru Endo

November: Mohamed Salah

October: Mohamed Salah

September: Mohamed Salah

August: Dominik Szoboszlai