'Gutted!' - Liverpool star's World Cup dream in tatters

Liverpool have endured a nightmare season on the injury front.

From goalkeeper to centre-forward - and everywhere in between - several of Liverpool’s top first-team options have suffered significant disruption.

Right now there are long-term issues to be managed in the shape of Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley - neither of whom are expected to play again this season.

And up front Alexander Isak has only just returned to light training following a broken leg in December.

All of those players have got FIFA World Cup dreams to plan for - with Leoni and Bradley’s national teams in Italy and Nothern Ireland clashing in next month’s qualification playoffs.

And despite an awful qualification campaign Isak’s Sweden will also have another chance at qualifying when they play Ukraine. It’s touch-and-go whether the striker makes it back for the playoffs but he will certainly be hoping to be fit for summer.

Wataru Endo injured against Sunderland

And one more World Cup-bound international Liverpool star was added to the infirm list this week.

Wataru Endo, 33, was filling in at right-back on Wednesday night when he suffered a horrific foot injury against Sunderland. Arne Slot confirmed on Friday that the Japan captain would be out for “quite a long time” although an exact timeframe is not yet known.

Fellow Liverpool Premier League title-winner Joe Gomez has now spoken out on the former Stuttgart captain’s injury - adding that he is gutted for his colleague.

"I'm gutted for Wata,” he told the club’s official website. "He's such a treasured part of this squad and we appreciate him so much. "Who he is as a person and how he plays, I think that showed in him trying to carry on.

"I think we all know that it's such a frustrating part of the game and we know how hard he'll work to come back stronger.”

Endo a key player for Japan

Endo was in imperious form for the Samurai Blue as they wrapped up qualification to the World Cup from the Asian Football Confederation.

But his dreams of representing his nation in North America are in severe danger - with Gomez adding that the lure of the World Cup may well now serve as an inspiration for Endo to get fit as soon as possible.

"Hopefully he comes back as soon as possible and has a chance to go to the World Cup,” the England defender commented.

Endo joined Liverpool for around £12m from Stuttgart back in 2023.

Under contract until 2027 it remains to be seen what the club’s plans are for Endo - who has started only twice in the top flight under Arne Slot across the last couple of seasons.

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