Liverpool analysis - Diogo Jota makes it impossible as Wataru Endo gets what he needed

Endo makes necessary step

Not for the first time this season, the announcement of VAR being called upon prompted Jurgen Klopp to hold his head in his hands.

This time, though, it was rival manager Thomas Frank who was ultimately left wagging his finger in disgust after a strong challenge by Wataru Endo on Christian Norgaard early in the second half wasn’t deemed a red-card offence.

It was the right call. And it allowed Endo to build on only his second Premier League start since his summer arrival and banish his difficult evening in Toulouse less than 72 hours earlier.

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Instead, two other incidents underlined an encouraging afternoon for the Japan international. The first, shortly after half-time, demonstrated growing confidence when a drop of the shoulder and swift turn left Norgaard on his backside while, in the closing moments, Endo’s ability in the air – necessary up against Brentford’s robust approach – saw him defend well at the far post.

Endo needed this afternoon, and will also have benefited from lasting the full 90 minutes. There remains plenty to work on, and it would still be a surprise if Alexis Mac Allister, serving a one-match ban here, isn’t back in the number six role at Manchester City in a fortnight. But this was a step in the right direction.

Relentless Jota helps make it impossible

The variety and strength of depth among Liverpool’s attacking options this season has already made clear that if one player doesn’t do the damage, another will.

And when all are in the groove, as against Brentford here, they are almost