Injury Specialist Forecasts Wataru Endo’s Potential Layoff After Liverpool Midfielder Is Stretchered Off

A medical expert has shared an assessment of Wataru Endo after the Liverpool midfielder suffered an ankle injury during the Reds’ 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

Endo, who began the match at right-back, was carried off on a stretcher in the second half at the Stadium of Light after his foot appeared to get caught in the turf.

Arne Slot described the issue as “serious” but declined to give a detailed prognosis after the game, stating that the full extent of the damage would only be known following further assessment.

“Yes, it’s a serious one. How serious we don’t know yet because it still has to be assessed tomorrow, but it doesn’t look good.

“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.”

Clips circulating on X appear to show the incident that led to the injury.

Football injury analyst Physio Scout has since offered insight, suggesting the 33-year-old could be sidelined for at least eight weeks. According to their analysis, the mechanism of injury — forced eversion of the ankle under bodyweight — raises concerns over a high ankle sprain, also known as a syndesmosis injury.

Given the force involved, scans will also be required to rule out a possible fracture to the lower leg, particularly the fibula, which is commonly at risk in such cases.

Projected recovery timelines vary depending on the diagnosis:

High ankle sprain: 8–10 weeks with surgery
Isolated fibula fracture: 6–10 weeks with surgery
Syndesmosis injury combined with fracture: 12 weeks or more
Definitive answers will depend on scan results, with further updates expected from Liverpool in due course.

Endo’s setback adds to Liverpool’s growing right-back concerns, as Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are already unavailable.

Dominik Szoboszlai — who has also filled in at right-back this season — missed the Sunderland clash through suspension following his red card against Manchester City.

The Reds had explored signing a new right-back late in the January transfer window and showed interest in Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida. However, aside from securing Jeremy Jacquet for a summer move, Liverpool made no significant additions to bolster Slot’s injury-hit squad. Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni are also currently sidelined.

Liverpool return to action on Saturday when they host Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round, before travelling to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on February 22.