Wataru Endo proved why he’s underrated signing of the season once again with subtle Forest contribution

The phase of play for Liverpool’s winning goal against Nottingham Forest on Saturday was beautiful in so many ways.

Alexis Mac Allister showed great restraint and composure to resist lifting a hopeful right-footed cross into the area and instead opting to take an extra second to turn back inside before floating in a left-footed ball into a dangerous area.

The temptation must’ve been there for Mac Allister to put the ball into the box as soon as Wataru Endo poked it his way. There wasn’t long left in the game and Liverpool desperately wanted a goal.

But Mac Allister showed why he’s viewed as a world-class midfielder. He showed why he was part of a World Cup-winning Argentina team.

Then there’s Darwin Nunez. His movement in the build-up to the ball being played into the penalty area is exceptional. He initially makes a move to attack the six-yard box before dropping back into an onside position once Mac Allister cuts back onto his left foot. He then makes a last-second dart which gives him the momentum to get up and direct his header into the corner. If he was flat-footed in this sequence, he might not have won the header.

It was an incredible piece of play by the No. 9 to score his 10th Premier League goal of the season and secure all three points for Liverpool at a potentially key moment in the title race.

The third musketeer in this winning goal for Liverpool was Endo. He was the unsung hero in that particular phase of play. The Japan international was brought on after 60 minutes to replace Bobby Clark and he was at his combative best.

He won three of his four duels and 50% of his tackles after coming on at the City Ground. The 31-year-old made two ball recoveries and completed 21 of his 26 attempted passes on Saturday afternoon.

His biggest contribution, however, was during the build-up to the winner.

As the ball breaks to Callum Hudson-Odoi, Nottingham Forest had men over and space to play in. The temptation for the former VfB Stuttgart skipper might’ve been to just kill that potential attack by taking out the Nottingham Forest attacker and giving the hosts a free-kick on the edge of their own penalty area. In all likelihood, this would’ve signalled the end of the game. Forest would’ve looked to play out the remaining seconds for an all-important point as they looked to avoid relegation.

Endo doesn’t jump in though.

He doesn’t give the referee an easy decision to make. Instead, he puts pressure on Hudson Odoi and is then in a position to get a toe to the ball just as Taiwo Awoniyi takes over possession. If you look closely, that is why the former Liverpool striker is unable to carry the ball out. Some have accused him of being sloppy but he never truly has it under control. Endo sticks out a toe and connects with the ball just as the powerhouse forward looks to break away.

He isn’t done there though.

He carries on his run to the right of the Forest penalty area which attracts Hudson-Odoi and prevents the former Chelsea man from getting out and pressurising Mac Allister. It means the Argentine international is one-on-one with Awoniyi and has time and space to decide what to do with the ball. If Endo just wins the ball and is then static, Forest could potentially swarm the Liverpool No. 10 and force him into rushing a pass or having to go backwards with the ball.

The £16m summer signing played a significant part in Liverpool getting maximum points away at the City Ground. His toe poke to dispossess Awonyi was just as important as Mac Allister’s patient approach in possession prior to the cross into the box and it was just as intelligent as Darwin’s little burst past the defender having gotten himself onside.

Endo, back from injury, once again showed exactly why he’s arguably been the signing of the season. Not just for Liverpool but across the Premier League.