Liverpool Midfielder Makes Devastating Admission Following Injury Setback

The Reds have been battling injury issues throughout a miserable campaign.

Wataru Endo suffered a worrying foot injury in February. | Michael Steele/Getty Images

Wataru Endō has effectively ruled himself out for the remainder of Liverpool’s season as he recovers from a nasty foot injury that required surgery.

Endō sustained the setback during Liverpool’s 1–0 win over Sunderland in February, trapping his ankle in the sodden turf while making a critical interception. Despite being in obvious agony, the midfielder rose to his feet to defend the subsequent corner, only to be stretchered off during the next stoppage in play.

Arne Slot had insisted the 33-year-old would be out for a lengthy spell, yet no official timeline was placed on his comeback. Endō has now provided a major update on his fitness—and it’s not good news for Liverpool supporters or the Japan international.

“The injury is quite hard to explain. It was a ligament injury. The ligament is completely gone. In the end I needed surgery to fix it,” Endō revealed on his RED MACHINE podcast.

Endō also confirmed that the artificial ligament put in his foot will take three months to heal, realistically ending his campaign with Liverpool. With the midfielder’s future uncertain heading into the summer, he might have already played his final game for the club.

---

Endō Targets World Cup Return

Endo could still feature at the World Cup. | Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images

While hopes of a comeback before the end of the club season have been dashed, Endō remains optimistic about the possibility of featuring for Japan at this summer’s World Cup in North America. The Blue Samurai begin their campaign with a group game against the Netherlands on June 14, where the veteran hopes to line up against his Dutch Liverpool teammates.

“I have something to achieve, to play at the World Cup is my target at the moment so I’m very, very motivated,” Endō added. However, the Japan captain has only just started walking unaided again, and must be careful during his rehabilitation.

“I’ve finally started walking this week, so it’s been going well,” said the midfielder. “I come here [Liverpool’s AXA Training Center] for recovery sessions. I change, have some breakfast and then mainly I do walking or some exercise in the gym.

“That’s it, I can’t do a lot of things to be honest. I walk normally is my rehabilitation at the moment.”

---

Liverpool Handed Triple Injury Boost

Alexander Isak’s return is near. | Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images

While Endō’s revelation comes as disappointing news for Liverpool and Slot, the club has received positive updates on three players ahead of this Saturday’s crucial FA Cup quarterfinal clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Alexander Isak made his much-awaited return to training on Thursday after over three months on the sidelines with a broken leg. The Sweden international will possibly feature in either the upcoming Man City match or the subsequent Champions League quarterfinal first leg away at Paris Saint-Germain.

In a further boost to Slot’s options, the Dutchman revealed that injured wingers Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa, both of whom sat out the international break, should be available for the trip to the Etihad.

However, it was not all good news. Jeremie Frimpong suffered yet another injury issue on Netherlands duty and is a doubt heading into the weekend.

---