Wataru Endo left the pitch in tears after being stretchered off during Liverpool’s clash at Sunderland. The 33-year-old appeared to catch his foot in the turf while stretching to clear the ball.
He briefly tried to continue but soon went down again in visible discomfort. After a lengthy stoppage, medical staff carried him off on a stretcher.
It marks another injury setback for Arne Slot, who is already without Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. Endo had been filling in at right-back due to the shortage in that position and was replaced by Joe Gomez, who has only recently returned from injury.
Liverpool ended Sunderland’s unbeaten home run at the Stadium of Light as Virgil van Dijk’s second-half header sealed a 1-0 victory and boosted their Champions League hopes.
With Chelsea and Manchester United dropping points on Tuesday, the win moves Arne Slot’s side to within two points of the top four and restores momentum after Sunday’s late defeat to Manchester City.
Van Dijk struck just after the hour mark, powering home Mohamed Salah’s corner, with Habib Diarra unable to prevent the ball from flying into the roof of the net on the goal line.
Liverpool registered 23 shots in total. Florian Wirtz hit the post in the first half, while Hugo Ekitike and Salah both missed late chances to add to the scoreline.
Providing an update on Endo’s injury, Arne Slot told TNT Sports: “His injury doesn’t look good. I expect him to be out unfortunately for quite a long time. In the right full-back position we have a lot of problems, but what a mentality of him as well.
“He stayed on the pitch and defended one more set-piece. That tells you all about the mentality of the team and him, and that’s why we won the game as well.”
Mohamed Salah and Al-Ittihad clarification emerges
Brazilian club president namedrops Jurgen Klopp as next manager
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.