Liverpool Midfielder Wataru Endo Faces Extended Absence After Serious Ankle Injury

2026-02-12 community

Liverpool, 12 February 2026
Japan international Wataru Endo was stretchered off in emotional scenes during Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland on 10 February, with manager Arne Slot confirming the injury ‘doesn’t look good’ and expecting the 33-year-old to be sidelined for a considerable period. The ankle injury compounds Liverpool’s defensive crisis, as Endo was filling in at right-back due to multiple player absences.

Devastating Moment at Stadium of Light

The injury occurred in the 68th minute of Liverpool’s Premier League encounter at the Stadium of Light, just seven minutes after Virgil van Dijk had given the visitors the lead [1]. Endo appeared to get his foot stuck in the turf, landing awkwardly on his ankle in what witnesses described as a distressing scene [2]. The Japanese international required extensive on-pitch treatment before being stretchered off, visibly emotional as he covered his face whilst being carried from the field [3]. Joe Gomez immediately replaced the stricken midfielder, who had been admirably filling the right-back position due to Liverpool’s mounting injury crisis [1][3].

Manager’s Grim Assessment Raises Concerns

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Slot delivered sobering news about the extent of Endo’s injury. ‘Yes, it’s a serious one. How serious we don’t know yet because it still has to be assessed tomorrow, but it doesn’t look good,’ the Liverpool manager stated [3]. The Dutch tactician was particularly candid about the expected timeline for recovery, adding: ‘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’ [3]. The injury affects Endo’s foot and ankle area, though the precise diagnosis requires further medical assessment scheduled for 12 February [3][4].

World Cup Hopes Hang in Balance

The severity of Endo’s injury has sparked concerns about his availability for Japan’s World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer [2][6]. With 72 caps for his country, the experienced midfielder serves as a crucial figure in Japan’s international setup [2]. The potential absence of such a key player would represent a significant blow to Japan’s World Cup preparations, particularly given Endo’s leadership qualities and defensive versatility. Liverpool’s medical team will conduct a comprehensive assessment on 12 February to determine the full extent of the damage, which will provide clearer indication of whether Endo can recover in time for international duty [6].

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