Jurgen Klopp gave sturdy reward to Wataru Endo for his show towards Brentford, following criticism of the Liverpool midfielder’s type in midweek.
Resulting from suspension for Alexis Mac Allister and harm to each Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones, the responsibility of No. 6 fell to Endo in back-to-back video games.
The Japan captain struggled within the 3-2 loss to Toulouse on Thursday evening, being hooked at half-time after choosing up an early yellow card, which prompted considerations heading into the weekend.
Although Endo was removed from the perfect on the sector as Liverpool beat Brentford 3-0, he was considerably improved on midweek, in what Klopp described as a “difficult” take a look at.
“Prime, high, high. He saved our life in lots of moments,” was the supervisor’s verdict, talking to BBC Sport.
“It was actually vital that he was tremendous disciplined on a regular basis.
“One header on the far-post space was an enormous one, if that ball comes again into the field I don’t know the way we’d take care of that.
“So many good moments, after which it’s simply tough, you solely get so typically on the ball, the wind makes it actually tough and so they press, they by no means cease.
“So there are a number of difficult moments, however he was actually, actually good.”
There had been debate over whether or not Endo ought to have been despatched off for a 50-50 problem with Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.
Fortunately, frequent sense prevailed after an extended VAR verify, with the 30-year-old escaping punishment, although in his post-match press convention, Thomas Frank argued, given current examples, that it ought to have been a purple.
“Even with VAR, I believe a scenario like this shouldn’t be a purple card – shouldn’t be a purple card,” Frank pressured.
“However with the gradual picture we get immediately, you will note a transparent foot on the leg and you will note 4 bloody marks on Christian’s leg, then that’s undoubtedly some contact and it have to be with some extreme pressure.
“So he undoubtedly went over the ball with sufficient pressure to try this.
“Once you try this with the nonetheless footage, you will have Curtis Jones towards Tottenham, you will have Rashford towards Copenhagen, there’s most likely much more.
“Then you will have comparable towards Newcastle from ourselves a pair years in the past and this one immediately.
“With that in thoughts, then it’s a purple card.”
