Wataru Endo could miss Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Sheffield United because of injury, according to an update from journalist David Lynch.
The Reds face another massive game in the title race at Anfield on Thursday evening, in what is a top vs. bottom clash in the league.
On paper, it should be a comfortable night at the office for Jurgen Klopp’s side, but they have to get the job done, with dropped points feeling disastrous.
Thankfully, Liverpool’s injury woes that have been a problem throughout the season are now easing, with Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota the only noticeable absentees.
There is a potential concern over Endo’s involvement against the Blades, however, with Lynch taking to X to share Klopp’s update that the midfielder suffered a “knock” in last weekend’s 2-1 win at home to Brighton:
“Wataru Endo dealing with a knock sustained against Brighton, Jurgen Klopp reveals.”
Our thoughts on Endo possible injury absence…
There have been so many Liverpool heroes this season, whether it be the incomparable Virgil van Dijk at the back, the majestic Alexis Mac Allister in midfield, or young stars such as Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah.
In Endo, however, the Reds have found an absolute gem of a player, having arrived at Anfield last summer amid little fanfare, coming in as a key-key arrival from VfB Stuttgart.
The 31-year-old has been a revelation for Liverpool all season long, adjusting to life in the Premier League impressively and allowing Mac Allister to push futher forward and excel in his preferred No.8.
Everything about Endo has been simple but effective – he has completed 88.2% of his passes and averaged 1.5 tackles per game in the league – and if he is missing against Sheffield United, it will be a blow, affecting the balance of the midfield.
Klopp should like to think that his team have more than enough quality to get past the Blades without the Japanese involved, however, and if he isn’t fully fit, he should be wrapped in cotton wool ahead of Sunday’s crucial trip to Manchester United.
Few would have predicted Endo having such a massive impact when he joined, but he now feels like a vital member of the strongest starting XI, and will continue to be in the remaining weeks of the season.
