Liverpool’s difficult week has taken another unwelcome twist after Wataru Endo was forced to withdraw from international duty with Japan due to injury.
The 32-year-old midfielder was named in the Samurai Blue squad for their upcoming Kirin Challenge Cup fixtures against Paraguay and Brazil, but the Japan Football Association confirmed on Monday that he will not feature after sustaining an unspecified issue during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.
Endo had only entered the fray late on at Stamford Bridge, replacing Alexis Mac Allister as Arne Slot’s final substitution, and there were no obvious signs of discomfort during his brief cameo. Neither Liverpool nor the JFA have disclosed the nature or severity of the problem, but his withdrawal suggests it is significant enough to require a period of rest during the international break.
Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the Japan squad for their fixtures during the October international window.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 6, 2025
It’s another frustrating development for Slot to contend with at the end of a punishing eight-day spell that has brought three defeats and mounting fitness concerns.
Saturday’s stoppage-time defeat in west London, sealed by Estêvão’s clinical late strike, completed an unwanted hat-trick of losses following setbacks at Crystal Palace and Galatasaray. It also knocked the champions off top spot in the Premier League and marked the first time in Slot’s managerial career that he has suffered three consecutive defeats.
The timing and manner of the defeats have been particularly galling. All three games were tight affairs decided by fine margins, but Liverpool have consistently found themselves on the wrong side of them.
To compound matters, Ibrahima Konaté was forced off midway through the second half at Stamford Bridge with a quad issue. The centre-back, who felt the problem “a little bit” according to Slot, will undergo further assessment with the French national team.
With Konaté withdrawn, Ryan Gravenberch finished the game alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence.
Andy Robertson also hobbled off late on, visibly in discomfort as he was helped from the field. Liverpool will now be anxiously awaiting further updates on all three players over the next fortnight.
Endo’s absence is a blow both for club and country. As Japan’s captain, the international break represented a valuable opportunity for him to build rhythm and minutes, having featured sparingly so far this season. His outing at Chelsea was his first Premier League appearance off the bench since late August against Arsenal, taking his total league minutes to just 126.
Liverpool have 19 senior players away on international duty this month, and Slot can ill afford to lose any more personnel. When domestic football resumes, Liverpool face a gruelling run of seven fixtures in 22 days, beginning with the visit of Manchester United to Anfield on October 19.
After such a bruising week on and off the pitch, the last thing Slot needs is further casualties to stretch his squad. Liverpool’s medical team will be working closely with their international counterparts in the hope that Konaté, Robertson and others return unscathed.
Further information on Endo’s injury is expected in the coming days, but his withdrawal is the latest unwelcome setback at the end of a chastening period for the champions.
