Arne Slot gives bleak Wataru Endo injury update after star left pitch on stretcher

View 2 Images

Liverpool boss Arne Slot admits Wataru Endo could face an extended period on the sidelines after being stretchered off vs Sunderland . The Japanese international was named in the starting line-up for the Reds’ trip to the Stadium of Light, where he played at right-back.

But his evening ended prematurely as he was carried from the pitch in the second half after a somewhat innocuous incident. And asked for his verdict on Endo, Slot has admitted that he might not be seen on the pitch for some time.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, he said: "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."

MAKE THE MIRROR YOUR FIRST CHOICE! Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

Endo’s injury took the shine off what was an excellent night for Liverpool on Wearside. Virgil van Dijk ’s winning goal saw them secure victory and cut the gap to the top four to just two points.

Asked about his side’s performance, Slot added: “It didn't feel to me at all as a struggle because I think we played really, really, really well again. We didn’t face the weather, we faced Sunderland , who were until tonight unbeaten at home.

“They are a good team, [have a] good manager and [have a] difficult playing style to play against because, as we know from the game we played at home against them, it's a lot of long balls you have to defend and a lot of balls into the channels. I think we did that really well.

View 2 Images

FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

“We controlled the second ball really good and from that second ball, we played some very good football. What I'm getting used to more and more now is that we miss a lot of chances, which we did tonight again.

“But the big exception for us tonight compared to all the other games we played against promoted teams, or teams that we were the better team, we were not able to score from a set-piece. Usually we concede one, but tonight we could score and that's the difference for us in this game."

Liverpool now turn their attention to this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Premier League rivals Brighton at Anfield. They then take on Nottingham Forest in their next league game as they continue their push for a Champions League spot.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.