Liverpool blow as midfielder misses national team duty through injury | OneFootball

Liverpool’s midfield depth has taken another hit during a crucial stage of the season, with confirmation from Japan that Wataru Endo will not feature in this month’s international fixtures due to injury.

Wataru Endo ruled out of Japan squad through injury

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The 32-year-old, who joined us from Stuttgart in 2023, was omitted from Japan’s squad to face Paraguay and Brazil in the Kirin Challenge Cup later this month.

According to an official statement from the Japan Football Association (JFA), the Liverpool midfielder was withdrawn due to injury and will not travel for either match.

“Wataru Endo (Liverpool FC, England) – unavailable due to injury,” confirmed the JFA in their squad update (via jfa.jp).

The timing is far from ideal for us, coming just days after Arne Slot confirmed injuries to Alisson Becker and Ibou Konate, while Giovanni Leoni remains a long-term absentee with an ACL tear.

While the club have yet to issue a statement of their own on the Japan captain’s condition, Endo’s absence from the national team suggests a knock significant enough to require rest over the break.

The midfielder only played the final five minutes against Chelsea this weekend, in an uncharacteristically defensive move from Arne Slot, and there was no hint he had picked up an injury concern.

It remains unclear whether he will be available for our next Premier League fixture following the international pause, but with Alisson, Konate and now Endo all sidelined, our head coach’s selection options are becoming increasingly stretched.

Arne Slot faces growing selection challenges

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The Dutchman will be eager for positive updates before domestic action resumes, particularly with Manchester United visiting Anfield immediately after the break.

Endo’s tactical importance, especially his defensive discipline at the base of midfield, has proven vital in games last season – though his services have seldom been required in this term.

Liverpool have already seen how losing experienced figures can derail rhythm, though our No.3 is certainly not among the most played options in our squad.

If Endo’s issue is minor, Slot will hope the Japanese international can return swiftly to anchor midfield whenever Ryan Gravenberch is rotated.

You can watch Slot’s post Chelsea press conference via Empire of the Kop on YouTube:

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