Liverpool's Japanese midfielder #03 Wataru Endo lays on the pitch injured during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Liverpool at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in north east England on February 11, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Liverpool's Japanese midfielder #03 Wataru Endo lays on the pitch injured during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Liverpool at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in north east England on February 11, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Wataru Endo was stretchered off in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland in the Premier League.
Liverpool face an anxious wait over the extent of Wataru Endo’s injury.
The Japan international is set to join Alexander Isak (broken leg), Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni (both knee), Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic (both hamstring) in terms of long-term casualties.
Endo’s injury was suffered in the fashion that epitomises his character. Shortly after Virgil van Dijk had headed Liverpool in front, Endo made a crucial clearance at the back post. He received treatment and tried to carry on with the Reds defending a corner. After the danger was cleared, the former Stuttgart man went down again and was attended to by Liverpool’s medical staff again before being stretchered off the Stadium of Light pitch.
It was a cruel blow for the fans’ favourite, who made his first Premier League start of the season. Head coach Arne Slot admitted that Endo’s blow is serious but will need to be assessed. “Yes, it's a serious one,” said the Reds boss. “How serious we don't know yet because it still has to be assessed tomorrow, but it doesn't look good.
"I'm not too sure [if it's his ankle]. It's his foot, but if it is his ankle or his foot, that is what we have to assess tomorrow. I assume he will be out for a long, long time. What is long, it is difficult to say at this moment but you can hardly believe what this right full-back position brings us this season."
Liverpool fans have a nervy wait over the severity of Endo’s problem. According to the popular social media account @physioscout that provides football injury analysis, Endo could face more than three months on the treatment table if he has damaged his syndesmosis join and sustained a fracture.
A post on X said: “Forced eversion at the ankle after putting his bodyweight on it brings concern for a high-ankle sprain/syndesmosis injury.
“Due to the high velocity, scans will also need to rule out any lower-leg fracture - fibula is usually the structure at risk here. Expected Recovery Times: If high ankle sprain: 8-10 weeks w/ surgery. If fibula fracture alone: 6-10 weeks w/ surgery. If syndesmosis + fracture: 12+ weeks.
“Scans will need to confirm the extent of the injury. We'll have to wait for further comment from Liverpool.”
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