Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, who has been filling in at center-back for a couple of games while Joe Gomez is injured and Ibrahima Konate has been working his way back to full sharpness, has been praised by Arne Slot for his attitude and application.

Endo had barely featured until this week when he played a substantial part in matches against Tottenham and Accrington. But in the second half of the season, he is hoping to get more minutes — wherever that might be on the field.

"I asked Harvey [Elliott] to come into the room before the game because I know he wants to get his chance in the number 10 position," Slot said during his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference. "But because of the players who weren't available, he had to play from the right, and he did really well.

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"It is the same for Wata but I didn't even invite him in because I know what kind of person he is — 'Wherever you play me, I will do my best'. If it is five minutes before the end, he comes in and gives everything. I have seen other players during my career come on at the end of matches and show a different attitude."

Konate is back now and Jarell Quansah, who went off against Spurs, was ill rather than injured. But Slot thinks Endo will get more chances to come into the team regardless.

"He is an important part of our team, in midfield or defense," Slot continued. "I didn't want to bring Ibou in after he played against United and then we had to make that substitution [vs Tottenham]. And the moment I took Wata out of our last line, we conceded! He did really well."

Liverpool.com says: Endo spoke to reporters after the Accrington game and reiterated that he is happy to play anywhere, even if he does want to play more often. He isn't that suited to doing what Slot wants from his number six, with Ryan Gravenberch a very different player, so center-back could be a more likely avenue to regular action.