Wataru Endo injury details emerge as manager explains Japan withdrawal

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Wataru Endo was left out of the Japan squad at the final hour after suffering an injury in his last appearance for Liverpool – as now explained by his national team manager. Endo was set to join up with Japan for their friendlies against Paraguay and Brazil this month but it was later announced that he had pulled out.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of last week’s 2-2 draw with Paraguay, Japan manager Moriyasu Hajime suggested it would not be a major issue for Endo. “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 to omit Endo was a sensible one given Japan were not involved in World Cup qualifiers this month and a long-haul flight to Asia could have impacted his recovery.

Endo able to focus on his recovery Liverpool will have welcomed the decision not to risk their No. While Endo’s minutes have been limited so far this season, the news that Ryan Gravenberch was substituted at half-time for the Netherlands on Sunday may increase his chances in the coming weeks.