'I needed to show why I'm here': Wataru Endo reacts after being voted Liverpool's Player of the Month for December

Wataru Endo has been voted Liverpool's Player of the Month for December, the club's official website confirmed.

The Japanese midfielder came on top after a fan poll placed him above Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.

"I'm so glad to be chosen as the Player of the Month. I hope this is just one of many!" said Endo who featured in all eight of the Reds' fixtures in December.

"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."

Liverpool will have to deal with Endo's absence for the next few weeks as he has departed for the Asian Cup.

Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo strikes v Fulham up for Premier League Goal of the Month