Liverpool's Injury Crisis Deepens as Endo Faces Lengthy Sideline Spell
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a concerning update on midfielder Wataru Endo, confirming the Japan international is expected to be sidelined for a significant period after suffering a suspected broken foot. The injury occurred during Liverpool's narrow 1-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, where Endo was deployed in an unfamiliar right-back role.
Defensive Vulnerabilities Exposed by Latest Setback
Slot revealed that while final assessments are pending, the severity of Endo's injury is already apparent. "We still need to do some assessments, but it's clear and obvious that he will be out for quite a long time," the Dutch manager stated, raising fears that Endo's season could be over entirely.
The 33-year-old's versatility had become increasingly valuable to Liverpool's squad, with Slot emphasizing the dual loss. "Don't forget that he's a good centre-back and a good midfielder as well," Slot explained. "If you look at the No 6 position or the two centre-back positions, we are quite vulnerable there as well if something happens."
Mounting Defensive Absences Create Selection Headache
Endo's injury compounds Liverpool's existing defensive crisis, with the club already missing both specialist right-backs:
- Conor Bradley, ruled out for the remainder of the season
- Jeremie Frimpong, also sidelined with injury
Slot now faces difficult decisions ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton, admitting to a sleepless night pondering his lineup options. "It took me a long time to get to sleep because I was constantly considering what options I have for the line-up and what I should do," he confessed.
Youth Options and Returning Players Offer Some Relief
While Endo's absence creates significant challenges, Slot will welcome back Dominik Szoboszlai from suspension for the Brighton encounter. Additionally, young talents Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni are under consideration for starting roles as the manager weighs rotation against consistency.
However, the injury list continues to grow, with Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak also unavailable for selection. Slot's admission that he needs "another 24 hours to decide on my line-up" underscores the complexity of his selection dilemma as Liverpool navigate multiple competitions with a depleted squad.
The match against Sunderland marked Endo's first Premier League start of the campaign, making his long-term absence particularly untimely as Liverpool seek to maintain momentum across domestic and European fronts.
