Liverpool have been hit by another significant injury, with captain Virgil van Dijk reflecting on the cruel loss of Wataru Endo on his first Premier League start of the season
12:00, 18 Feb 2026Updated 13:31, 18 Feb 2026
Virgil van Dijk has spoken about Wataru Endo’s injury(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Liverpool’s squad have been left “really gutted” after losing Wataru Endo to a significant injury. Endo could miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury picked up in the 1-0 victory over Sunderland last week.
The Japan international left the field on a stretcher at the Stadium of Light after catching his foot in the turf while making a clearance. To make matters even crueller, Endo was making his first start of the season in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old midfielder was chosen to fill in at right-back, with Arne Slot without all his other options, with specialist right-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong also sidelined.
Endo has only made 12 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this season due to competition for places. But Liverpool captain Van Dijk says he will be a big miss, given his experience and personality around the dressing room.
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“It’s a shame, we were all really gutted after the [Sunderland] game,” Van Dijk said. “I had a similar injury when I was at Southampton, a foot injury, and it’s not an easy one to take.
“But we are here for him, we are going to be together with him all the way and support him with everything he needs. It’s not great, he is such an important and respected member of the team, he’s one of the leaders and he always leads by example as well.
“On the pitch he gives everything and you saw that in the game. It’s a big blow but we have to deal with it and we will. Hopefully it’s not going to take too long but it looks like it will be a while.”
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Wataru Endo was stretchered off in the Sunderland win(Image: ANDY BUCHANAN, AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Slot has so far been unable to give much detail on a potential return timeline for Endo. “There is definitely a chance [Endo can return before the end of the season], but he will be out for a while,” he said after the 3-0 win over Brighton in the FA Cup on the weekend
“We cannot say exactly how long yet. It’s different with every injury. Sometimes you can make the diagnosis straight away, sometimes you need a few more days to see how it develops and that last thing is true for Wata.
“But he will not be in the squad next week and he will not be in the squad next month. But we are hoping at the end of the season he has a chance to be with us again. But that also depends on the upcoming days. Is it broken? We don’t know yet. That’s the first lie I’ve made since I’ve been over here.”
Endo has joined Stefan Bajcetic, Jayden Danns, Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni on the sidelines ahead of Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the Premier League.
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