Liverpool turn their attention to Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Brighton as they face a brewing injury crisis with Wataru Endo’s devastating ankle injury
Following their return to form in the Premier League during midweek, Liverpool will now shift their focus to Saturday evening’s FA Cup encounter with Brighton.
It’s been a challenging campaign for the reigning Premier League champions, who have faltered in their bid to defend their crown. The FA Cup, along with the Champions League, now presents Liverpool with their finest opportunity to claim silverware this season.
Nevertheless, Liverpool are grappling with a mounting injury crisis. And Daily Star Sport has a look at all the biggest stories that have surrounded the Anfield club in the past 24 hours.
Virgil Van Dijk transfer demand
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Liverpool skipper Van Dijk has expressed his desire for Liverpool to secure Ibrahima Konate on fresh terms, reports the Mirror.
The French defender’s contract expires this summer with no progress in negotiations, meaning he could potentially depart as a free agent, with Real Madrid reportedly showing interest.
The Dutch captain spoke about the “world class” centre-back and emphasised his wish to continue partnering Konate at the heart of Liverpool’s backline for years ahead.
“We are friends,” Van Dijk said of Konate. “We speak about everything. It’s a process and let’s see what comes out of it. It’s never that easy. We saw with my [contract] situation last year so it’s never that easy that we can just say: ‘Let’s get it done’.
“Obviously I want him to stay… I can do only so much but it’s in the club’s hands, together with his agents and himself, so let’s see what comes out of it but I have no influence otherwise on that. It was not my decision to leave [my contract] that late but it is what it is.
Wataru Endo could be finished at Anfield
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Endo’s horrific injury against Sunderland might signal the conclusion of his Liverpool stint. The 33-year-old sustained a serious injury after an awkward landing on his ankle.
Japan’s skipper arrived at Liverpool in 2023 from Stuttgart for £12 million. Nevertheless, the combative midfielder’s deal runs until 2027 and it’s understood that the Premier League title holders would consider bids for the player.
Liverpool manager Slot admitted that Endo will be sidelined for a considerable period, suggesting that the injury has effectively ended the player’s campaign.
“I assume he will be out for a long, long time. What is long, it is difficult to say at this moment but you can hardly believe what this right full-back position brings us this season,” Slot remarked following the Sunderland match.