Manager expects Wataru Endo to be “out for a long time” after injury at Sunderland
Arne Slot was left in disbelief after a third player who has featured for Liverpool at right-back this season got injured.
Wataru Endo suffered a bad injury at Sunderland on Wednesday night and had to be stretchered off. The injury comes after both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have been injured playing at right-back.
Slot said it was difficult to tell when Endo would be back but expects him to be out for a long time.
“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.
“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.”
Besides the disappointing injury, it was a great night for Liverpool after they managed victory despite Sunderland’s strong defensive setup, becoming the first team to defeat the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light this season.
Liverpool led in the 61st minute through a Virgil van Dijk header from a corner kick that was helped into the net by Sunderland’s Habib Diarra. There were chances later in the game for both Sunderland to equalise and for Liverpool to extend their lead.
“We had the biggest chance in extra time with Mo Salah,” Slot said. “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 [Konate] 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.
“Maybe they thought it had gone wrong so many times in the final part of [games] and maybe now it is up to us to help the team. That worked out really well. I hope every time we have the lead, away or at home, the fans can be so supportive.”
