Wataru Endo happy to play with "amazing players" after "important" LASK win

Wataru Endo was full of praise for his Liverpool teammates after an "important win" against LASK in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Reds breezed past their Austrian opponents with a 4-0 victory at Anfield, a brace from Cody Gakpo and goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah securing a comfortable three points.

LASK did pose Liverpool some problems defensively, with Caoimhin Kelleher called into action a little too frequently, but it remained a routine win for the Reds that ensured they would top Group E and progress straight into the round of 16 as a result.

Endo started in the deep-lying midfield position and put in an impressive performance against LASK that perhaps went under the radar.

The Japan international ranked second for passes (52) and touches (75), while also topping the charts for passes into the final third (12), chances created (3), recoveries (11) and interceptions (4).

Speaking after the victory over LASK, Endo reflected on an "important win" for the Reds.

"It's a very hard month!" he told Liverpool's official website. "But we play all together and I will always try to do my best on the pitch and try to be ready whether I am starting or on the bench.

"It was an important win. I think from the beginning we played well, we started strong and we had the chances to go 3-0 or 4-0 [up] before the second half. But in the end we won, so I'm glad.

"We are through the group, which is a very important thing. But we still have one game [against Union SG], and we will try to get ready for that."

Endo wasn't short of praise for his teammates either, both in attack and defence.

"I'm so happy to be a part of this club and so happy to play with such amazing players," he added.

"That's Liverpool and how we want to play. Obviously we had so many chances, but defensively as well, after we lost the ball we always tried to be organised and get back, and that's a very important thing as well."

Endo will likely find himself back on the bench against Fulham in the Premier League this Sunday, but it was important that the midfielder put in an impressive display after a poor performance in Liverpool's last Europa League match against Toulouse.