Liverpool’s injury crisis took another dramatic turn at the Stadium of Light as Wataru Endo was stretchered off in clear agony during the Reds’ Premier League clash with Sunderland on February 11, 2026. The 33-year-old Japan international, making only his second league appearance at right-back under Arne Slot this season, suffered a serious left ankle injury that left both teammates and fans visibly shaken. As Liverpool’s patchwork defense absorbed yet another blow, questions swirled about how the club would cope with mounting absences as they chase silverware on multiple fronts.
Endo’s misfortune struck midway through the second half. Attempting a crucial clearance, his left foot became ensnared in the turf, causing his ankle to twist awkwardly beneath his own weight. Despite his best efforts to soldier on, the pain proved overwhelming. Within moments, Endo collapsed back onto the pitch, clutching his leg in distress. Medical staff rushed to his side, and after a prolonged stoppage, fitted an inflatable brace to his left leg. The scene was made all the more harrowing as Endo was administered oxygen and handed the green whistle—a fast-acting, inhaled pain reliever—before being carefully lifted onto a stretcher and carried off the field in tears.
"Wataru Endo was in considerable pain after an injury," reported Getty Images, capturing the gravity of the situation as Liverpool supporters looked on anxiously. The midfielder’s anguish was palpable, and there was a collective sense of dread regarding the potential severity of the setback.
Endo’s injury is the latest in a string of misfortunes for Liverpool at right-back. He is now the seventh different player to fill that position for Slot’s side this campaign—a statistic that underscores the club’s desperate improvisation amid a relentless wave of injuries and suspensions. First-choice options Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong remain sidelined, with Frimpong not yet back in training due to a groin problem. Dominik Szoboszlai, who had been filling in at right-back, was unavailable against Sunderland due to suspension, though he is set to return for the upcoming FA Cup clash against Brighton. Even Curtis Jones, typically a midfielder, has been pressed into service at right-back, though Slot has shown reluctance to use him there of late. Calvin Ramsay, meanwhile, has been all but discounted as a viable option for the head coach.
Endo’s departure left Liverpool in a precarious position, but there was a silver lining as Joe Gomez—himself only recently recovered from injury—was able to step in. Gomez’s return to the squad was timely, albeit something of a gamble given his own lack of match fitness. Nevertheless, with options dwindling, Slot had little choice but to call upon the England international to shore up the defense as Liverpool clung to their advantage on Wearside.
The match itself was a tense affair, with the only goal coming courtesy of Liverpool’s talismanic captain, Virgil van Dijk. Rising highest from a corner, van Dijk powered a header towards goal, only for Sunderland’s Habib Diarra to inadvertently divert the ball over his own line. It was a moment emblematic of Liverpool’s season—gritty, opportunistic, and tinged with a fair share of fortune. The Reds’ ability to grind out results despite their injury woes has been a testament to their resilience and adaptability under Slot’s stewardship.
For Endo, the timing of the injury could hardly be worse. This was his first league start in nine months, and he had been eyeing a spot in Japan’s squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup this summer. Now, his participation is in jeopardy. According to medical sources cited in the aftermath, a severe (Grade 3) twisted ankle typically requires a recovery period of eight to twelve weeks, depending on the extent of ligament damage. There is, as yet, no official timeframe for Endo’s return, with Liverpool’s medical staff expected to provide a more detailed update after further assessment.
This latest setback marks Endo’s third injury of the season. He previously missed seven games at the end of 2025 due to a different ankle issue, raising concerns about his long-term durability. Nevertheless, his commitment to the cause has never been in doubt. As reported by This Is Anfield, "Endo was handed the green whistle, a type of pain relief that you breathe in, as he was carried off the pitch." The image of a seasoned professional, brought low by injury yet determined to support his team, resonated deeply with Liverpool fans everywhere.
The right-back crisis has forced Slot to continually reshuffle his defensive pack. With Bradley and Frimpong out and Szoboszlai only just returning from suspension, Liverpool’s options remain perilously thin. Curtis Jones could be drafted in if necessary, but his recent omission from the role suggests Slot is seeking alternative solutions. Calvin Ramsay’s exclusion from consideration further narrows the field, leaving Gomez as perhaps the only fully fit, senior option for the time being.
Despite these challenges, Liverpool’s ambitions remain undimmed. The club is still fighting on multiple fronts, with the FA Cup and Champions League campaigns in full swing, and a top-four league finish very much in their sights. The ability to adapt and overcome adversity has been a hallmark of Slot’s tenure thus far, but the pressure is only mounting as the season enters its decisive phase.
For supporters, the overriding emotion is one of concern mixed with cautious optimism. There is hope that Endo’s injury is not as severe as first feared, but also a recognition that the squad’s depth is being tested to its absolute limits. As the club awaits further news on Endo’s condition, the focus will inevitably shift to the next man up—a familiar refrain in a season defined by resilience and resourcefulness.
As the final whistle blew at the Stadium of Light, Liverpool’s resolve had been tested yet again. The loss of Endo is a bitter pill to swallow, but the Reds have shown time and again that they are capable of weathering even the fiercest storms. With key fixtures on the horizon and the squad stretched to its breaking point, all eyes will be on Arne Slot and his ability to steer Liverpool through this latest crisis.
For now, the club and its fans can only wait and hope for positive news regarding Wataru Endo’s recovery. In a season already marked by adversity, Liverpool’s fighting spirit remains undiminished, even as the challenges continue to mount.