Liverpool midfielder's future plunged into serious doubt

Liverpool fans recoiled in horror on Wednesday night as Wataru Endo suffered a gruesome injury.

The Japan captain - who has just celebrated his 33rd birthday - endured an awkward landing on his lower leg/ankle while attempting a block during the Premier League victory against Sunderland.

Filling it at right-back in the short term this injury throws Liverpool’s defensive plans further into disarray. But looking further down the road the impact could be far more significant for Endo.

"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,” was Arne Slot’s assessment in the aftermath of the 1-0 win.

Liverpool would have considered Endo exit

Endo joined Liverpool back in 2023 as a stopgap solution following the failure to land Moises Caicedo. He came in from Stuttgart for a £12m fee and quickly set about winning the hearts of fans on Merseyside.

Supporters have always been enamoured by his tireless workrate and his fearless attitude - best exemplified by Endo gamely trying to play on having suffered his injury in midweek.

He has been consistently happy to do a job for the team. Not always a starter he has provided cover and competition in midfield and played at right-back and centre-back in emergencies too.

That kind of dedication and selflessness should be admired - and right now we are left to wonder if the No3 will be ever seen in a Liverpool shirt again.

World Cup on the horizon

Endo is out of contract in 2027 but it was widely held that the Premier League champions might be willing to listen to offers before then.

He was close to a move to Marseille in 2024 and links have also been established over the years with other teams in England as well as Germany.

Ahead of the summer Endo has got the FIFA World Cup on the horizon - and that may well provide all the inspiration he needs to get fit.

Given his age he might consider this his last shot at the World Cup for the Samurai Blue - who were hugely impressive in qualifying.

It would be decent to allow him to recover and head off for a new club in 2027 - but who knows what Liverpool decision-makers will do.

If it is to be his swansong then Endo will bid farewell to Anfield with the best wishes of all fans - departing as a Premier League champion and a winner of the EFL Cup in 2024 too.

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