Naturally, Darwin Nunez grabbed all the headlines for Liverpool yesterday. His goal against Nottingham Forest gave the Reds a lifeline in the Premier League title race. It means the Reds are still very much in the ascendancy and in with a fight to win a quadruple.
If it wasn’t Nunez though who was getting the applause yesterday, then it will have been Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine produced another brilliant performance for Liverpool, and perhaps the best in the Reds’ colours since he arrived at the club. His excellent assist to Nunez was yet another reminder of his quality.
Together they made Liverpool’s winner happen. However, if it wasn’t for the contribution of Wataru Endo, which largely went unnoticed, none of it would have been possible.
Wataru Endo’s role in Liverpool’s winner
Just before the ball ended-up with Alexis Mac Allister, Taiwo Awoniyi got hold of possession after Kostas Tsimikas’ rebounded shot. Awoniyi was about to accelerate past Liverpool’s defence from Nottingham’s penalty area, but out of nowhere, Wataru Endo poked the ball away from him control. The ball ended-up rolling to Mac Allister who then set-up Nunez for the winner.
It was a tiny contribution from Endo, but an ever so vital one. Without his little poke to prise the ball away from Awoniyi, Liverpool would never have gotten control of possession again. Yet despite being such a vital contribution it felt like nobody really noticed.
Everyone was talking about Nunez and Mac Allister, but no one has really mentioned Endo. Which is a shame because he deserves recognition.
Endo’s ability to win these kinds of challenges is really impressive. It’s why he has become such a cult hero since arriving at Anfield. He’s known as the ‘duel king’ for a reason. And he proved that once again against Nottingham Forest.
What a signing the Japanese international has been. Very much worth every penny two times over.
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