Liverpool’s injury crisis deepened on February 11, 2026, as Wataru Endo was stretchered off in clear distress during the Reds’ 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The Japan international, deployed at right-back due to a string of absences in the position, suffered what manager Arne Slot described as a “serious” ankle injury in the second half. The incident not only overshadowed a crucial win for Liverpool in their pursuit of a Champions League spot, but also raised concerns about Endo’s availability for the upcoming World Cup.
Endo’s night started with opportunity but ended with anguish. Making just his second Premier League start under Arne Slot, the 33-year-old was called upon to fill the right-back void left by the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai and long-term injuries to both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. Liverpool’s defensive line has been ravaged this season, forcing Slot to improvise repeatedly, and Endo’s selection was just the latest reshuffle.
The injury occurred midway through the second half as Endo slid in to clear a threatening Sunderland cross. In a cruel twist of fate, his foot became lodged in the turf, causing him to land awkwardly on his ankle. According to match reports, Endo initially attempted to play on, even getting back to his feet to help defend a corner. However, the pain soon overwhelmed him and, after collapsing to the turf, he required extensive medical attention. The severity of his discomfort was clear as he left the pitch in tears, his leg in a brace, and with the aid of an oxygen cylinder—a sight that drew a sympathetic ovation from both sets of supporters.
Joe Gomez, himself just returning from a four-match injury layoff, replaced Endo. The substitution highlighted the ongoing defensive headaches for Arne Slot, who has now turned to six different players at right full-back this campaign. “I don’t think we have that many injuries but you notice it earlier with us because our squad is not as deep as some others,” Slot told TNT Sports after the match. “His injury does not look good. I expect him to be out for a long time again. In the right full-back position we have had a lot of problems, that is obvious.”
Slot’s frustration was palpable in his post-match press conference. “Yes, it is a serious one but how serious we don’t know yet,” he 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. 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.”
The injury comes at a particularly challenging time for Liverpool. Jeremie Frimpong has been sidelined since late January with a groin issue, Conor Bradley is out for the season following knee surgery, and Dominik Szoboszlai was suspended after a straight red card in the loss to Manchester City. Even Jeremy Jacquet, set to join Liverpool in the summer, suffered a serious shoulder injury last week. Slot admitted, “It feels like [bad luck], that is for sure. Even if we sign a player and he’s not even playing for us (Jacquet), he gets injured. But the moment you think it’s just bad luck then it comes to you as well. So we need to keep away from that and focus on improving performances. I can definitely say we haven’t been lucky, that is true. But is it bad luck or who we are? We will find out over rest of season.”
Endo’s injury is not only a blow for Liverpool but could also have international repercussions. With 72 caps for Japan and the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico just months away, there are initial concerns that the severity of the injury may jeopardize his participation in the tournament. Japan’s opening match is scheduled for June 14 against the Netherlands, and Endo, as captain, is a linchpin in Hajime Moriyasu’s plans. The midfielder had only recently returned from an ankle injury that sidelined him for seven matches, and he also missed time in October 2025 with a hamstring issue. Despite these setbacks, Endo has maintained an impressive fitness record throughout his career.
Despite the setback, Liverpool managed to secure all three points thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s 61st-minute header. The Dutch defender rose highest from a corner, with the ball bouncing in off Sunderland’s Habib Diarra, and the Reds held firm under late pressure to hand Sunderland their first home defeat of the Premier League season. The win was made even more significant by the fact that Manchester United and Chelsea both dropped points in midweek, allowing Liverpool to close the gap in the race for a top-five finish. The Reds now trail Chelsea by two points and Manchester United by three as the battle for Champions League qualification heats up.
Slot was quick to praise the resilience of his squad. “We had the biggest chance in extra time with Mo Salah,” he noted. “But I am pleased with how we defended, there were a few times we had to throw bodies in front of the ball. Wata [Endo], I pick him out because he had an injury and stayed on, challenged for other duels. That mentality, I saw it through the whole team. Ibou [Konaté] played a great game, Mo was working a lot, Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] made very important tackles. It was also really helpful that our fans were so loud, this stadium is known for home fans but the away fans were loud, especially the last 20 minutes when the team needed them.”
Endo’s arrival at Liverpool in August 2013 for £16 million from VfV Stuttgart was seen as a shrewd move, and he has since become a respected figure at Anfield. However, his patience for Premier League minutes has been tested this season, with both of his previous starts coming in the Carabao Cup. This latest setback is a bitter pill to swallow for a player who has worked hard to earn his opportunities.
As Liverpool prepares for their next fixture—an FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on February 14—the focus will inevitably turn to how Slot will patch up his defense once again. Calvin Ramsay and Curtis Jones are among the candidates to fill the right-back berth, but with so many injuries, nothing is certain.
The mood at Anfield is a mix of relief and concern: relief at a vital away win, concern at yet another name added to the injury list. For now, the club and its supporters wait anxiously for further news on Wataru Endo’s condition, hoping that one of their toughest competitors can recover in time for both Liverpool’s run-in and Japan’s World Cup adventure.