Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo faces a spell on the sidelines after the injury he picked up at Sunderland, but comments from Arne Slot suggest he could be back before the end of the season
Arne Slot is hopeful of Wataru Endo's return before the end of the season
Arne Slot is hopeful of Wataru Endo's return before the end of the season
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Arne Slot hopes Wataru Endo will be back before the end of the season, with the Liverpool midfielder seemingly still on track to play at this summer's World Cup.
There were fears that the Japan international, who turned 33 last week, would miss the rest of the season and the summer tournament in North America with the ankle injury he picked up in the 1-0 win at Sunderland last Wednesday.
Endo's absence would be particularly big blow to Japan, whom he captains, with the Samurai Blue having already lost former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino for the summer after the now-Monaco attacker suffered an ACL injury in December.
Endo sustained his injury making a typically committed block midway through the second half of Liverpool's Premier League victory at the Stadium of Light, where he started at right-back following an injury crisis in the position.
It was the former Stuttgart man's first Premier League start since he began the defeat at Chelsea towards the tail end of last season after the title had already been secured.
With just one year left on his current Reds deal there are widespread suggestions Endo could leave in the summer, with many feeling he may never be seen in a Liverpool shirt again after the Sunderland injury, a particularly cruel ending for a player who has won many fans among the Reds supporter base due to his professionalism and commitment.
Despite his lack of game-time, Endo's availability and versatility make him a valuable member of the squad for Slot, who raised hopes that he could kick a ball again this season when speaking after the 3-0 FA Cup victory over Brighton.
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"There is definitely a chance [he could be back this season], but he will be out for a while," said Slot.
"We cannot say exactly how long yet. That is sometimes different with every injury.
"Sometimes you can make that diagnosis straight away, sometimes you need a few more days to see how things develop and that last thing is with Wata.
"He will not be in the squad next week and he will not be in the squad the next month, but we're hoping towards the end of the season he has a chance to be there with us again. That also depends on the upcoming days where that will lead to."
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