Wataru Endo got here off the bench to assist Liverpool see by their 3-2 victory at Southampton, with Arne Slot saying “that’s what we want” from the squad.
Endo made his sixth substitute look of the Premier League marketing campaign as he changed Darwin Nunez within the ninetieth minute of Liverpool’s win at St Mary’s.
With the Reds already main 3-2, the Japan captain was despatched on to carry onto that scoreline with eight minutes of stoppage time to play.
He was busy all through his cameo, then, as regardless of solely touching the ball 5 occasions and finishing two passes, Endo made one interception, one restoration, one profitable dribble and even one contact within the opposition’s field, per FotMob.
That got here with an aggressive run in direction of the nook late on, working with Alexis Mac Allister to carry onto the ball at a vital stage.
Whereas Endo is way from a key participant for Slot, his newest cameo earned extra reward from the pinnacle coach.
“That’s what when you’ve got so many high quality gamers,” Slot informed LFCTV on the constructive impression of his squad on the entire.
“That’s what makes the workforce robust as properly, that those coming in don’t are available in with the improper perspective; they at all times are available in with the fitting perspective.
“It’s no more than regular in the event you play for this membership that you’ve this perspective, however that’s additionally what these gamers present each time.
“I simply talked about Macca and Lucho, but additionally Wata Endo who got here in, possibly just for 10 minutes, however he was necessary in that 10 minutes.
“The quantity of balls he gained and the hassle he put in.
“That’s, in the long run, what makes a workforce robust and that’s what we want.”
Endo has solely performed 21 minutes of regular time throughout seven video games within the Premier League and Champions League this season, together with his publicity being nearly solely within the Carabao Cup.
However it’s a credit score to his mentality that he’s in a position to come on and assist see out a outcome: three of his six cameos within the league have been when holding a one-goal lead, whereas one other was within the 2-2 draw at Arsenal.
Whereas it won’t be the function he hoped for below Slot, his contribution has nonetheless been invaluable up to now for a facet now eight factors clear on the high of the league.
This will likely show to be Endo’s ultimate season at Anfield, but when he comes away with silverware his can have been a significant, worthwhile marketing campaign.
