Arne Slot has revealed the extent and of the injury Wataru Endo suffered vs Sunderland on Wednesday night.
Arne Slot has revealed the extent and recovery timeline of the injury Wataru Endo suffered vs Sunderland on Wednesday night.
Endo started the Premier League clash in an unfamiliar right-back role as Slot patched up a back line already without Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. Midway through the second half, he twisted awkwardly while making a clearance inside his own box, with his foot appearing to get caught in the turf. Despite the obvious pain, the 33-year-old initially tried to battle on and even continued to defend his area before finally going to ground and signalling he could not continue.
Medical staff rushed on and, after several minutes of treatment – including the use of oxygen – Endo was carefully placed on a stretcher and taken off to a concerned silence from both sets of supporters. Joe Gomez was introduced in his place as Liverpool dug in to see out a narrow but vital victory on Wearside.
Speaking after the game, Slot did not hide his concern. Now the Dutchman has provided a further update in his pre-Brighton press conference on Friday morning, and it’s unfortunate news:
“Yeah for the injury…we still need to assess but it’s clear and obvious he’s out for quite a long time. Don’t forget he is a good centre-back and midfielder too and it is not as though positions…we’re quite vulnerable there as well.”
Endo’s injury deepens an already mounting crisis on Liverpool’s right flank. With Bradley and Frimpong both out and Gomez carefully managed after his own recent issues, Slot had turned to Endo’s experience and defensive nous to plug the gap at Sunderland.
The veteran responded with a typically gritty display, throwing himself into duels and helping to shut down Sunderland’s direct approach before disaster struck.
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