Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has explained the specific role he was given when brought on against Wolves on Sunday
Wataru Endo has detailed how he was entrusted by Arne Slot to shut down Matheus Cunha and help Liverpool survive a second-half storm against Wolves. The Reds extended their lead at the Premier League summit to seven points with a 2-1 victory over the relegation-threatened Midlanders at Anfield on Sunday afternoon
Luis Diaz’s opener and Mohamed Salah’s penalty had put Liverpool in control at half-time before a much-improved Wolves piled on the pressure in the second half after pulling a goal back through Cunha
Endo was introduced with 19 minutes remaining and has explained the specific role he was given by Slot for his cameo appearance.
“After I came on, the thing I had to do was (to help the team) not concede a goal and to keep it to 2-1,” said the 32-year-old. “I think I did my job.
“Their number 10 (Cunha) is a good player so normally I have to take him one v one, defensively I have to go everywhere and follow (him) and cover all over the pitch.
We are happy to get three points. It was a very tough game in the end, but we showed we could fight until the end. We got a third goal but it was offside, then a penalty was not allowed and then we conceded.
“We needed to win because of the games coming twice in a week. We need everyone and of course not only those who are starting.”
Endo drew huge cheers from the Anfield crowd – and congratulations from team-mates Andy Robertson and Alisson Becker – by using his experience to win a pressure-relieving free-kick from Wolves right-back Pedro Lima during injury time
And when told the incident was celebrated almost like a goal, he replied: “Yeah! The fans helped us a lot. The fans created an amazing atmosphere like always.
“That kind of moment is very important to get three points, so I know what I have to do on the pitch. Even when I have only five or 10 minutes, I try to show myself.”
Endo was making only his 11th Premier League appearance of the campaign – all from the bench – with his seven starts coming in the cup competitions, the majority of which have seen him play at centre-back
And speaking to LFC TV, the Japan international said: “I don’t mind which position I play as I used to play as a defender as well. The thing I can do is to show myself every time when I have a chance.
“I just have to keep working hard and I’m still happy to be a part of this club and I still feel like I can do something for this club.”
