Arne Slot has revealed that Wataru Endo is expected to be sidelined for a significant period after being stretchered off during Liverpool's victory over Sunderland. The midfielder, who started at right-back due to a defensive injury crisis, suffered an ankle injury in the second half.
Endo became the seventh player to fill the right-back role for Liverpool this season, with first-choice options Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley both injured. Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai were also unavailable, leaving Slot with limited choices.
The Japan international went down awkwardly with just over 20 minutes remaining and received treatment before being carried off with an inflatable brace on his left leg. Slot confirmed after the match that the injury looks serious, stating, 'I expect him to be out, unfortunately, for quite a long time again.'
Slot praised Endo's determination to continue defending a set piece despite the injury. 'What a mentality of him, things don't look good but he stays on the pitch to defend one more set piece,' the manager added.
Endo's setback adds to Liverpool's injury woes, with summer signing Alexander Isak sidelined by a broken leg and centre-back Giovanni Leoni rupturing his ACL on debut. The club's depth continues to be tested as the season progresses.
