Liverpool damage replace given as supervisor confirms surgical procedure and potential timeline

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo sustained an injury in the 1-0 win over Sunderland on February 11 and has been out of action ever since

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has claimed that Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has undergone surgery and is targeting a return for this summer’s World Cup finals. Endo was carried off on a stretcher with a foot problem during the 1-0 victory over Sunderland on February 11.

No timescale for the 33-year-old’s comeback was provided, though Reds boss Arne Slot had previously expressed optimism that the Japan captain could feature again before the campaign concludes. Endo’s setback has left Slot with just four senior midfield choices available.

And Japan boss Moriyasu appears to have delivered disappointing news regarding any prospect of Liverpool welcoming back their seasoned midfielder this term. He suggests via Nikkan Sports that Endo is targeting a return to fitness for the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11, with Japan facing the Netherlands in their opener three days afterwards.

He said: “I’ve heard that he had surgery. I’ve heard that it went well, but I don’t know the details of how it went.

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“The plan is for him to be ready in time for the World Cup, so the rehabilitation process from surgery onwards is being considered. In order to play in the World Cup, he, the club, and we all share the same understanding.

During a press conference on February 13, Slot disclosed that midfielder Endo would be sidelined for a significant duration. The 47-year-old said “We still need to do some assessments, but it’s clear and obvious that he will be out for quite a long time.”

Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk confessed that he and his colleagues are deeply saddened by Endo’s prolonged absence from the pitch.He expressed: “It’s a shame, we were all really gutted after the [Sunderland] game.

“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.

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“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 whilst.”