Liverpool’s injury troubles deepen as Wataru Endo stretchered off
Liverpool’s injury woes intensified this evening as Wataru Endo was carried from the pitch on a stretcher during the Reds’ encounter at the Stadium of Light, reports BritPanorama.
The Japanese midfielder, making only his second Premier League appearance this season under Arne Slot, appeared to suffer a serious ankle injury after his foot became caught in the turf while attempting to clear a cross. The incident unfolded with approximately twenty minutes remaining in the second half.
Endo, visibly distressed, left the field in tears while receiving medical attention. His situation was made more concerning as medics administered oxygen to him on the pitch, highlighting the severity of the injury. The veteran’s deployment as a right-back underscored Liverpool’s ongoing challenges in that position, as he became the seventh different player to occupy that role this campaign.
The injury came amid mounting absences across Liverpool’s squad, with first-choice options Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong sidelined. Dominik Szoboszlai was unavailable due to suspension, forcing Slot to make further tactical adjustments.
As Endo endeavoured to continue playing despite his evident pain, medical staff fitted an inflatable brace to his left leg during the prolonged stoppage in play. Eventually, he was carefully placed onto a stretcher and removed from the field with visible distress.
Liverpool supporters await news on Endo’s condition, with updates expected following the conclusion of the match. Meanwhile, Joe Gomez was summoned from the bench to replace the injured Endo. This substitution posed a gamble, given Gomez’s return from injury, yet Slot had little alternative as Liverpool sought to maintain their advantage in the game.
Earlier in the match, Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring by directing a header from a corner that found the net via Sunderland’s Habib Diarra, who inadvertently diverted the ball into his own goal. The outcome of this fixture continues to bear significant implications for Liverpool amidst an arduous season.
The challenges faced by the club serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, where injuries can shift the course of a season in mere moments. Liverpool, with its storied history, now finds its current campaign hinging on both resilience and rapid adaptations in challenging circumstances.
