Arne Slot drools over Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo | OneFootball

Liverpool secured a 2-0 win over Newcastle United at Anfield on Wednesday night and moved 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Reds took full advantage on a night where Arsenal dropped points in a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.

Arne Slot, who began his two-game touchline ban, watched from the stands, and he will be very delighted with this performance. Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring for the Reds in the first half, and Alexis Mac Allister added another in the second.

Wataru Endo came on towards the end and impressed in his cameo role. Slot was full of praise for the 32-year-old midfielder, saying he gives his best in every training session.

Endo, who Jurgen Klopp signed, featured heavily for the Reds last season, but Slot has used him sparingly. He has not started a single Premier League game and managed 13 substitute appearances in the league.

And yet, his attitude in training has impressed Slot heavily.

The Reds boss said: “I appreciate him a lot as a football player but also as a human being because no matter how many minutes the team needs him [for], he always shows up.

“The reason why he always shows up – and that is what makes him special, and I’ve said it a few times before – is players, and I have worked with many that were in a similar situation like him, don’t always find the energy to train well the day after a game when they didn’t have playing time or two days after a game, but it doesn’t matter which day of the week it is or if he has played, he always gives his best in every training session and, as a result of that, every time the team needs him he shows up.

“That’s a big compliment for him, that he brings performances in like he did today.”

Slot was also full of praise for Szoboszlai, who has been in incredible form this season.

With Liverpool out of the FA Cup, the players can get the much-needed rest to refill their batteries ahead of their crucial Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

Newcastle will meet Liverpool again at Wembley in the final of the Carabao Cup on 16 March.