Wataru Endo
LIV
Japan
Right
Feb 9, 1993
33
5'10"
168 lb
RB
--
Creative Playmaker
LiverpoolHopeful to make end of season
Endo (foot) is continuing his recovery and is eyeing a return at the end of May, according to Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo. "It was a ligament injury, one that connects one bone to another, and it had completely gone. Then I decided to fix it. This artificial ligament only takes three months. I decided to do the surgery in Japan. I was thinking if I want to play in the World Cup, it would be the best for me. I'm hoping to play in the World Cup. My target is the last weekend of May - the national team has a game then, or we have a Champions League final! I hope we can make it. At least I have something to achieve - I'm motivated by that."
Analysis: Endo is seeing some positive updates as he continues his recovery after surgery on his foot, receiving the surgery just over a month ago after the injury in early February. He is now back in Liverpool to work on his rehabilitation after receiving an artificial ligament in his ankle, hoping that it will hold his foot together enough heading into the World Cup. His main objective now is to make the end of the season in May, as Japan will play a friendly and the Reds could be in the UCL final, if they win out, leaving him with some play time before his expected spot on the Japan World Cup roster, as his main focus will be on being fit for the tournemnt in the United States.
Month out from surgery
Endo received surgery on his ankle a little less than a month ago, but is still expected to be an option for the World Cup, according to national team manager Hajime Moriyasu, per Liam Corless of Liverpool.com. "I've heard he underwent surgery. I've heard that it went well. The plan is for him to be ready for the World Cup, and we are considering the process of rehabilitation after surgery."
Analysis: Endo suffered an injury around five weeks ago in his ankle and has already undergone an operation, with the midfielder receiving it near the end of February. The bright news for him is that it doesn't appear to be too serious a surgery and something he should return from before the end of the season, as the plan is for him to be a part of the Japanese World Cup squad. That said, he will likely hope to join his team for a few games to end the season before joining the Japan squad if his rehabilitation goes well, with Japan's World Cup starting June 14.
Will miss long time
Endo (foot) will miss quite a long time due to the injury he suffered in Wednesday's clash against Sunderland, coach Arne Slot said in the press conference. "We still need to do some assessments but it's clear and obvious that he will be out for quite a long time."
Analysis: Endo has been hit with a serious foot injury. He'll undergo further tests, but early indications suggest the versatile midfielder is facing an extended spell on the sidelines. It's a tough blow for the Reds with the backline already battered by injuries, Endo had been stepping in to plug the gaps. This latest setback stretches the squad even thinner and puts real pressure on the depth chart moving forward.
Forced off versus Sunderland
Endo was forced to leave Wednesday's match against Sunderland after picking up an apparent ankle injury, and he was mentioned by coach Arne Slot in the post-match press conference "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. I'm not too sure [if it's his ankle]. It's his foot, but if it is his ankle or his foot, that is what we have to assess tomorrow. 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."
Analysis: Endo suffered the blow during the second half and possibly took considerable damage before being stretchered off Wednesday. He was deployed in an unusual right-back spot given the absences of Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring), Conor Bradley (knee) and Dominik Szoboszlai (suspension), and it was the fit-again Joe Gomez who was introduced for the rest of the match. With the Japanese midfielder likely to start his recovery in upcoming days, Szoboszlai should return to the initial squad going forward.
Subbed in on Saturday
Endo recorded one tackle (zero won) and four clearances in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.
Analysis: Endo replaced the injured Joe Gomez in the 34th minute. This was Endo's sixth appearance of the campaign, all coming off the bench. He will now be expected to start alongside Virgil van Dijk in case Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate are out of the squad for the upcoming fixtures.
On bench for UCL match
Endo (ankle) is on the bench for Wednesday's Champions League clash against Marseille.
Analysis: Endo is back with the squad following a two-month absence, with his presence boosting the team's central midfield options. However, it's unclear how many minutes he's ready for after being inactive for a while. He may eventually share playing time with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in future games.
Close to training
Endo (ankle) is planning to train soon and is working towards a return, according to manager Arne Slot. "I think if I am correct, he might start to train one of these days, but he has been out for two months now, that's of course different to being out for one week."
Analysis: Endo has been out for the past two months but is nearing his return, with the midfielder set to train within the next week or two. This will likely mean a return near the end of the month, likely to at least still miss their next one or two games. He was mainly an unused option from the bench when fit, so this is a minor loss.
Not training yet
Endo (ankle) will miss another match and has yet to train, according to manager Arne Slot. "I expect Joe to train with us [on Friday] and Wata not yet."
Analysis: Endo is still suffering from his ankle injury and is on the sidelines for another match, not able to resume training in the few days between games. He has still only appeared five times all season, and will now miss a fifth straight game.
Suffers ankle injury
Endo suffered an ankle injury and is ruled out for several weeks, coach Arne Slot said in the press conference, according to the Liverpool Echo. "Endo? Going to be weeks. Wata is ankle."
Analysis: Endo missed the last game against Inter in the Champions League due to an ankle injury that will sideline him for several weeks. That said, the midfielder logged in only 11 minutes since late August, therefore his absence will have no impact on the starting squad.
Back on bench
Endo (undisclosed) is back on the bench for Wednesday's trip to Frankfurt.
Analysis: Endo is on the bench for Wednesday's trip after missing a match with Manchester United due to an injury picked up on international duty. The midfielder has been a consistent presence off the bench, filling in holding midfield or the backline, but he's not likely to push for significant minutes unless Liverpool need to close out a match.
Missing against United
Endo (undisclosed) is out for Sunday's match against Manchester United.
Analysis: Endo is not in the call for Sunday's match after an undisclosed injury would leave him out during the international break, not fit enough to face United in their return to play. He will now look ahead to their midweek match in UCL play for a return, although the timeline for his return is still up in the air.
Withdraws from Japan squad
Endo (undisclosed) was selected by Japan to participate in Kirin Challenge Cup matches against Paraguay and Brazil but ultimately won't be involved due to injury, the club announced.
Analysis: Endo is dealing with an apparent injury and ultimately won't join the Japan squad for international duty. The midfielder will likely be assessed in the coming days in Liverpool to determine the extent of the issue, although he will have two weeks to recover before the clash against Manchester United after the break. Endo has been only a bench option for the Reds this season, so a potential absence won't impact the starting XI.
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