Liverpool’s right-back injury crisis deepened with Wataru Endo stretchered off at Sunderland after a nasty-looking ankle injury.
Endo replaced Dominik Szoboszlai as the seventh player to start at right-back this season, but his night ended with what appeared to be a serious-looking ankle injury.
While making an important clearance midway through the second half, Endo got his left ankle caught under him and twisted under his body weight.
He initially tried to carry on, but moments later he dropped to the ground in clear discomfort, with Liverpool’s physios and a stretcher called for the 33-year-old.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 11, 2026: A stretcher on the pitch for Liverpool's Wataru End? as he lies injured during the FA Premier League match between Sunderland AFC and Liverpool FC at the Stadium of Light. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Endo was handed the green whistle, a type of pain relief that you breathe in, as he was carried off the pitch.
There will be no immediate timeframe for a return, but a severe (Grade 3) twisted ankle typically requires a recovery between eight to 12 weeks, but it will hinge on any ligament damage.
It is Endo’s third injury of the season having missed seven games at the end of last year due to a different ankle issue.
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 20, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
The injury is a huge blow for Endo, who was making his first league start in nine months, and has his eye on the World Cup this summer, and for Liverpool as their right-back woes continue.
Thankfully, Joe Gomez was fit to be named in the squad at Sunderland and replaced Endo at right-back, but Arne Slot‘s options have dwindled further.
Szoboszlai will be back for Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Brighton and Gomez has now marked his return, but the Reds remain without Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
The latter has yet to return to training from a groin injury, but Slot will be eagerly awaiting his countryman’s comeback as Liverpool compete for two trophies and a Champions League spot.
Curtis Jones can play in the position, though Slot has been resistant to use the Scouser of late, while Calvin Ramsay has been all but discounted as an option for the head coach.