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
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
Endo was introduced with 19 minutes remaining and has explained the specific role he was given by Slot for his cameo appearance
Endo
"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,"
"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.
when told the incident was celebrated almost like a goal, Endo 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
Endo’s 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."
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