Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot has revealed the injury of Endo will hurt Liverpool. Wataru Endo has suffered a knock in Liverpool’s match against Leeds United. The Dutch manager Arne Slot is already missing his presence on the Liverpool’s bench. Endo can play in different positions, which offers the manager more options. The defending Premier League champions have suffered during the absence of the midfielder. Last season Endo played a very brief but important role in Liverpool’s domestic success. It would be interesting to see how Arne Slot manages the situation around Wataru Endo and their midfield.
Arne Slot admits Liverpool have missed the experience of Wataru Endo from the bench during their recent struggles to see out matches from winning positions. The Reds led 2-0 at Tottenham Hotspur and at home to Wolves in their last two Premier League games only to concede from a corner during the second half in both matches. Arne Slot’s side was then forced to withstand strong pressure from their opponents, despite Tottenham ending the match with only nine men and Wolves being cast adrift at the bottom of the table. Endo, who remains sidelined with the ankle injury that has ruled him out of the last four games, gained a reputation last season as Liverpool’s “closer” in helping protect narrow leads during the final moments. The Japan international did come on for the latter stages of the trip to Leeds United in early December. When Liverpool were 3-2 up only to draw 3-3, and the final minutes of October’s game at Chelsea when the Reds conceded deep in injury time to lose 2-1. However, injuries suffered during both cameos hampered his efforts.
Slot’s thoughts on the injury of Wataru Endo
When told Liverpool have too often been hanging on in games, Slot, whose side entertains Leeds in the reverse fixture on Thursday evening, replied, “Yep, I can only agree with you. It tells you how important goals are in a low-scoring sport. A goal can change momentum, which is what we saw the last two games. ” In both games, until the moment we conceded, it was the performance you would like from a Liverpool team, although in an ideal world with so much ball possession, I would see even more chances created.” Goals have a massive impact on the momentum of a game. That is what has been shown in the last two games of ours. “One way of game management is the ability to make substitutions, maybe to bring an extra defender or last year when we were one goal up, a lot of times I brought Wataru Endo in. “I have already said, I don’t know if anyone notices it, but we miss quite a lot of players. That is why it is so special that the players that are fit bring these results.”
🗣️Arne Slot "A way to have game management is also having the opportunity to make substitutions. Maybe to bring an extra defender in or these kind of things. Last year a lot of times when we were 2-1 up, or one goal up, I brought Wataru Endo in."
Via ( @LFC ) pic.twitter.com/1cySmkZICK
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) December 31, 2025
Anfield’s reaction
The Liverpool fans have absolutely agreed with their manager, Arne Slot. Several fans think it’s very important to have Wataru Endo on the bench. His presence provides so many options to the manager. All the fans are hoping to see Endo back on the pitch at the end of the January. It tells you how important goals are in a low-scoring sport. A goal can change momentum, which is what we saw the last two games.
Author’s Insight
From the author’s point of view, Wataru Endo’s absence has given a huge concern to Arne Slot. Hopefully the player will be back at the end of the month.
As featured on Walkon.com