Wataru Endo

Endo (foot) is continuing his recovery and is eyeing a return at the end of May, according to Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo. "It was a ligament injury, one that connects one bone to another, and it had completely gone. Then I decided to fix it. This artificial ligament only takes three months. I decided to do the surgery in Japan. I was thinking if I want to play in the World Cup, it would be the best for me. I'm hoping to play in the World Cup. My target is the last weekend of May - the national team has a game then, or we have a Champions League final! I hope we can make it. At least I have something to achieve - I'm motivated by that."

Endo received surgery on his ankle a little less than a month ago, but is still expected to be an option for the World Cup, according to national team manager Hajime Moriyasu, per Liam Corless of Liverpool.com. "I've heard he underwent surgery. I've heard that it went well. The plan is for him to be ready for the World Cup, and we are considering the process of rehabilitation after surgery."

Endo (foot) will miss quite a long time due to the injury he suffered in Wednesday's clash against Sunderland, coach Arne Slot said in the press conference. "We still need to do some assessments but it's clear and obvious that he will be out for quite a long time."

Endo was forced to leave Wednesday's match against Sunderland after picking up an apparent ankle injury, and he was mentioned by coach Arne Slot in the post-match press conference "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'm not too sure [if it's his ankle]. It's his foot, but if it is his ankle or his foot, that is what we have to assess tomorrow. 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."

Endo recorded one tackle (zero won) and four clearances in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.