Arne Slot has welcomed the return of Wataru Endo from injury after Dominik Szoboszlai was asked to drop into the right-back position again, a role neither favours.
Endo was a surprise inclusion in the matchday squad against Barnsley after missing the last seven games with injury after Slot explained he had yet to return to training when previewing the match.
Right-Back Crisis: Slot’s Update
The Endo Return:Arne Slot has welcomed Wataru Endo back from an ankle injury, hinting that he is a “creative” solution to cover the right-back void.
Saving Szoboszlai: Slot admitted he does not favour playing Dominik Szoboszlai in defence.
The Depth Issue: With Conor Bradley out for the season and no January signings expected, Liverpool are down to just six fit senior defenders.
He will require time to get back up to speed after more than a month out with an ankle injury, but the head coach welcomed his return with Conor Bradley‘s season over.
After Liverpool’s FA Cup win, Slot specifically mentioned Endo when discussing Szoboszlai having to drop into the right-back position again, before admitting he will “need to be creative.”
“It’s good to have Wata back as well because you can see another time Dominik Szoboszlai had to play in the full-back position, and that might not be for the last time this season,” Slot told All Red Video.
“Although I favour him in the midfield, and I think he favours himself in midfield.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 29, 2025: Liverpool's Wataru Endo during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“But sometimes if you have no other options, you need to be creative.”
As previous selections have proven, Endo remains behind the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones when it came to deputising on the right, but he does offer cover across the defence.
The Japan international has only played 223 minutes this season, including two starts, which is the fewest of any first-team regular, with the exception of Trey Nyoni (184).
Slot has been hesitant to trust Endo despite being named in 21 of the previous 22 squads before his injury at Leeds, but he may need to expand his circle if a January addition is off the table.
Endo had only trained once before the visit of Barnsley, but Slot name-checking the 32-year-old suggests he is at least in the head coach’s thinking as he was not prompted to discuss Endo.
Liverpool’s right-back options: Who Arne Slot can turn to
Liverpool defensive depth chart January 2026: Who is available for each position?
Position First Choice Regular Cover Emergency
Centre-Back (R) Ibrahima Konate Joe Gomez Ryan GravenberchWataru EndoWellity Lucky
Centre-Back (L) Virgil van Dijk Andy RobertsonJoe Gomez Amara NalloWataru Endo
Right-Back Jeremie Frimpong Joe GomezDominik Szoboszlai Calvin RamsayCurtis JonesWataru Endo
Left-Back Milos Kerkez Andy Robertson Joe Gomez
• Starters / Primary
• Regular Cover
• Emergency / Out of Position
Current Defensive Injuries
Slot prefers to keep Szoboszlai in midfield when possible, but that relies heavily on also keeping Frimpong and Gomez fit.
On the knock-on effect of Bradley’s long-term injury, Slot told reporters on Monday: “It’s an enormous blow for [Conor Bradley], but as a result of that it’s a big blow for us as well.
“I hope that you don’t think I would like to play Dominik Szoboszlai as a right full-back.”
Liverpool currently only have six senior defenders fit, but also have Calvin Ramsay available, who is expected to stay at Anfield instead of heading off on loan for the second half of the season.
The Reds will need to rely on their midfielders as the season progresses, however, with reports stating that the club are not expected to be active in the market this month.