Wataru Endo injury update as Liverpool midfielder undergoes surgery
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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool injury newsWataru Endo underwent surgery on the ankle injury he sustained against Sunderland earlier this month, and is now in a race to fit in time for the World Cup this summerWataru Endo has undergone surgery according to Japan's manager(Image: ANDY BUCHANAN, AFP via Getty Images)Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu said that Wataru Endo has undergone surgery on the ankle injury he sustained while playing for Liverpool earlier this month.Endo has not played for Liverpool since the 1-0 win away to Sunderland, and Arne Slot said in the immediate aftermath of the game that he was concerned that the injury was serious. Now, Japan boss Moriyasu said that Endo has since had an operation on the issue – also stating that the player's World Cup dream is very much alive.“I’ve heard he underwent surgery,” Moriyasu said.
“I’ve heard that it went well. "The plan is for him to be ready for the World Cup, and we are considering the process of rehabilitation after surgery.READ MORE: Liverpool fans react as players sport new look before West Ham game with unique outfitsREAD MORE: Unai Emery makes ‘huge’ Liverpool admission after Aston Villa stumble again in Champions League race“We don’t know what will happen once surgery is performed, but the fact that he needs to play in the World Cup is something that he, the club, and we all understand and share.”Speaking after Endo was taken off on a stretcher against Sunderland on February 11, Slot said that it was obvious that Endo would be sidelined for a lengthy period of time."Yes it is a serious one but how serious we don't know yet," Slot said.
"Because it has to be assessed tomorrow of course, but it doesn't look good."I am not too sure if it is his ankle, if it is his foot but if it is his ankle, that is what we have to assess tomorrow. But I assume he will be out for a long time.Endo was taken off on a stretcher against Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)"And what is 'long' that is difficult to say at this moment but, yes, you can hardly believe what this right-full back position brings us this season."Endo is one of five Liverpool players currently injured, along with long-term absent trio Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley.Florian Wirtz is also not available at the moment after pulling out of Liverpool's starting line-up against Nottingham Forest last weekend during the warm-up.“I don’t expect Florian to be available so that’s a disappointment, of course," Slot said ahead of Liverpool's Premier League game against West Ham."Every time a player is not available it’s a disappointment and it’s also something I didn’t expect after last week but that’s sometimes how things can evolve and unfortunately this time not in a positive way.”Liverpool FCLiverpool injury newsWataru Endo