Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo had been forced to withdraw from Japan’s October international fixtures however at the time the issue was not clarified but it has now been revealed it is in fact following a right-thigh injury sustained in the Reds’ 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
The 32-year-old had been called up to captain his national side in friendlies against Paraguay and Brazil but was pulled from the squad at the final hour.
At the time, the Japanese Football Association (JFA) cited only an unspecified injury, leaving supporters unsure of the reason behind the late withdrawal. The full details have now emerged: Endo suffered a hamstring complaint during his brief cameo at Stamford Bridge, limiting him to just five minutes on the pitch.
Speaking ahead of Japan’s 2-2 draw with Paraguay, national team manager Moriyasu Hajime explained the reasoning behind leaving Endo out.
“I was thinking about whether to call him up until the very last minute,” Moriyasu told Nikkan Sports. “Asking him to come from Europe again would be a burden for him, so I thought that the current number would be enough.”
The decision was ultimately pragmatic. Japan were not involved in World Cup qualifiers this month, and a long-haul flight from Europe could have risked further aggravation of the injury.
The squad was also restricted to 26 players due to scheduling conflicts, with four J1 League clubs involved in the YBC Levain Cup semi-finals last week.
For Liverpool, the news will be a relief. Endo has been used sparingly this season, but his presence provides versatility and stability in the midfield. Arne Slot’s squad faces a particularly congested fixture list in the coming weeks,
The run begins with a high-profile clash against Manchester United at Anfield this Sunday and continues with trips against Eintracht Frankfurt, and home matches Crystal Palace, Real Madrid, and wrap it up against potential title rivals Manchester City. Ensuring key squad members are fully fit will be crucial.
While Endo’s game time has been limited so far, the recent news of Ryan Gravenberch being substituted at half-time for the Netherlands could open doors for Endo to play a bigger role once fit. Both players are considered natural No. 6s in midfield, but can also provide emergency cover at centre-back following a serious injury to Giovanni Leoni.
Liverpool’s defensive options remain stretched. Ibrahima Konaté’s availability for the United clash is not yet confirmed, leaving Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as the only fit senior centre-backs.
The pair have a proven partnership dating back to the 2019-20 title-winning season, but the Reds have struggled defensively this term. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive games, with the last shutout coming against Burnley in mid-September. Apart from a late-August clean sheet against Arsenal, the reigning champions have yet to record a shutout in any other match this season.
Endo’s withdrawal also underscores the care being taken with Liverpool’s squad ahead of a demanding schedule. The midfielder was introduced for the final five minutes against Chelsea, but experienced discomfort in his right thigh during the post-match cooldown. By acting early, both the club and national team have minimized the risk of a more serious injury.
Looking ahead, Arne Slot will hope that Endo’s injury is minor and that he can return to full fitness quickly. With a tight schedule looming, every player capable of stepping into multiple roles particularly those like Endo who can operate both in midfield and defensively will be vital in maintaining performance levels across domestic and European competitions and getting back to winning ways after three successive defeats before the international break.
