Liverpool and Japan star Wataru Endo faces a lengthy spell out injured after picking up a problem during the Reds' win over Sunderland earlier this month
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo looks on
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo looks set to miss the rest of the season (Image: Getty Images)
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Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has claimed that Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has undergone surgery and is hoping to be fit for this summer's World Cup finals. Endo was stretchered off with a foot injury during the 1-0 win over Sunderland on February 11.
No timeframe for the 33-year-old's return was given; however, Reds head coach Arne Slot previously shared his hope that the Japan international could be available again before the end of the season. Endo's injury has meant that Slot has only had four senior midfield options at his disposal.
And Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has appeared to provide bad news for any hope of Liverpool having their experienced midfielder back again this season. He claims via Nikkan Sports that Endo is working to be back fit for the World Cup, which begins on June 11, with Japan playing their first match three days later against the Netherlands.
He said “I’ve heard that he had surgery. I’ve heard that it went well, but I don’t know the details of how it went.
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“The plan is for him to be ready in time for the World Cup, so the rehabilitation process from surgery onwards is being considered. In order to play in the World Cup, he, the club, and we all share the same understanding.”
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Speaking about Endo's condition during a press conference on February 13, Slot revealed that the midfielder would be out for a considerable period.
The 47-year-old said: "We still need to do some assessments but it's clear and obvious that he will be out for quite a long time."
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) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Wataru Endo had to be stretchered off after picking up an injury in Liverpool's win over Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)
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Reds captain Virgil van Dijk admitted that he and his teammates are hugely disappointed at seeing Endo out of action for some time.
He said: “It's a shame, we were all really gutted after the [Sunderland] game. I had a similar injury when I was at Southampton, a foot injury, and it's not an easy one to take.
"But we are here for him, we are going to be together with him all the way and support him with everything he needs. It's not great, he is such an important and respected member of the team, he's one of the leaders and he always leads by example as well.
"On the pitch he gives everything and you saw that in the game. It's a big blow but we have to deal with it and we will. Hopefully it's not going to take too long but it looks like it will be a while.”
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