Look at the reason this Liverpool player uses very strange gear while playing

The peculiar justification for Wataru Endo, a star for Liverpool, donning a gum shield while playing

Wataru Endo arrived at Anfield in the summer (

Wataru Endo, who moved from Stuttgart in the summer in a somewhat unexpected move, has been adjusting to life at Liverpool.

When Jurgen Klopp’s team acquired the 30-year-old holding midfielder from the Bundesliga, there were concerns because, at least initially, the move did not fit with the German manager’s style of acquisitions during his rule.

The Japanese international has gradually gained supporters, though, and it’s not just his performances that have taken people by surprise.

The Anfield faithful are only just getting used to the sight of Endo wearing a gum shield during games, something which would look more at home on a Japanese rugby player than a footballer.

Why does Wataru Endo wear a gum shield?

Endo has explained in his book, Duel, that he wears a mouthguard to give himself peace of mind during matches.

The ritual began in the 2020/21 season, when a dentist explained to him the risks of his teeth becoming loose.



Endo looks a little different during matches (

Speaking about his gum shield, Endo wrote in his book: ‘It’s become so important to me that I can say that I’m afraid to play soccer without it.’

other sports, he wears a gum shield on both his upper and lower jaws.

The mouthpiece has been personalised through a rigorous trial and error process, with the bite, jaw position and material all custom made to accommodate for the contours of his mouth.

Endo continued, saying, “I started to be able to hit ‘1 vs. 1’ with all my might. I no longer have the fear of breaking my teeth.”

Furthermore, maintaining awareness of my jaw’s position helps me to unwind. It has now become a very useful tool for me when I’m playing.

When playing for Celtic, Endo’s Japanese teammate Reo Hatate also dons a gum shield to shield his teeth and calm his expression.