‘It’s a Serious One’ – Arne Slot Confirms Liverpool Star Set for Lengthy Injury Absence After Sunderland Win

Arne Slot Delivers Grim Update as Liverpool Star Faces Lengthy Injury Absence

Liverpool’s season has rarely followed a smooth script under Arne Slot, and just when it felt like the Reds were stabilising after a turbulent few weeks, another blow has landed. This time, it’s Wataru Endo — the dependable, adaptable Japan international — who looks set for a lengthy injury absence after being stretchered off in the Premier League win over Sunderland.

Slot didn’t attempt to sugar-coat it. “It’s a serious one,” he admitted. And in a campaign where the right-back position has already become a revolving door, those words will echo loudly around Anfield.

The victory at the Stadium of Light should have been a moment to build momentum. Instead, it ended with fresh anxiety and a manager once again reshuffling plans that have barely had time to settle.

Endo Forced Off on a Stretcher After Sunderland Win

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Endo’s afternoon in Sunderland summed up Liverpool’s season in miniature: grit, improvisation, and then misfortune.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold having departed for Real Madrid last summer and Jeremie Frimpong sidelined since January, Slot once again turned to Endo to plug the gap at right-back. The 33-year-old has never complained about shifting roles. If anything, his willingness to adapt has made him one of the squad’s most trusted professionals.

But just over 20 minutes from full-time, disaster struck.

Endo blocked a shot inside the area, landing awkwardly as he twisted his ankle under pressure. At first, it looked like one of those painful but manageable knocks — the sort players try to run off. Endo did exactly that. He got up. He carried on. He even stayed on for a defensive set-piece, embodying the resilience Slot later praised.

Then he went down again.

This time, there was no getting back up. After several minutes of treatment, he was carried off on a stretcher — a sight Liverpool supporters have become far too familiar with this season.

Arne Slot: ‘His Injury Doesn’t Look Good’

When Arne Slot faced the cameras after the match, the mood was measured but heavy.

“His injury doesn’t look good,” he told TNT Sports. “I expect him to be out unfortunately for quite a long time again.”

There was frustration in his voice, but also admiration.

“What a mentality for him as well that things really didn’t look good but he stayed on the pitch and defended one more set piece.”

Later, in his post-match press conference, Slot expanded on the situation.

“It’s a serious one. How serious we don’t know yet. He has to be assessed tomorrow. Foot injury, we don’t know what it is yet, but it will be assessed. I assume he will be out for a long time.”

Then came a line that perfectly captured Liverpool’s right-back crisis:

“You can hardly believe what has happened in this right-back position.”

Right-Back Woe: A Position Cursed This Season

Slot’s disbelief is understandable.

The domino effect began with Alexander-Arnold’s high-profile move to Real Madrid. Liverpool responded decisively, investing heavily to bring Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. The Dutch international was seen as the long-term solution — dynamic, attacking, tailor-made for Slot’s high-tempo system.

But Frimpong has been sidelined since late January with a groin injury.

Conor Bradley, who impressed during his breakout moments last season, underwent surgery on a knee injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Dominik Szoboszlai has filled in when required, but the Hungarian was suspended for the Sunderland trip after a late red card in the dramatic 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.

Endo was never meant to be first-choice at right-back. He became the emergency solution. Now, even that solution has been removed.

Joe Gomez, Calvin Ramsay and Curtis Jones: Slot’s Remaining Options

When Endo was carried off, Joe Gomez stepped into the role. It’s a familiar adjustment. Gomez has long been Liverpool’s defensive utility man — capable across the back four, steady without always being spectacular.

He may now be asked to hold the position for an extended period.

Calvin Ramsay is another name on the books, but opportunities have been scarce. He has made just one appearance this season, and it remains unclear whether Slot views him as ready for the intensity of a top-four battle.

Curtis Jones offers a more technical alternative. Naturally a midfielder, he has occasionally dropped into deeper roles and could provide the ball progression Slot values when building from the back. But that would come at the cost of midfield depth — another area Liverpool cannot afford to weaken.

There are no perfect solutions. Only compromises.

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Priorities at Anfield: FA Cup, Champions League and Top-Four Pressure

The timing of Endo’s injury could hardly be worse.

Liverpool face Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round at Anfield this weekend. Slot must decide whether to rotate or prioritise stability. With the Reds also through to the Champions League last 16, fixture congestion is real.

But the Premier League remains the central focus.

Liverpool sit sixth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United. With 12 league matches remaining, every point matters. Back-to-back titles are no longer realistic; the conversation now revolves around securing Champions League qualification.

Missing out would not just dent pride. It could reshape the club’s immediate future.

The Pressure Mounting on Arne Slot

Slot delivered title glory in his debut campaign — an achievement that earned him both admiration and elevated expectations. But football moves quickly.

Failure to secure a top-four finish would raise uncomfortable questions. It has already been suggested that missing out on Champions League football could cost him his job.

Rumours linking Jurgen Klopp with an emotional return to Merseyside have surfaced periodically, although the German has publicly distanced himself from any suggestion that he is ready to leave his role as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull.

Still, the whispers linger.

Slot knows results are the only real antidote to speculation. Injuries, while unfortunate, do not excuse underperformance at a club of Liverpool’s stature.

Endo’s Absence: More Than Tactical Loss

Beyond tactical reshuffles, Endo’s absence removes something less measurable but equally important.

He is one of the squad’s quiet leaders. Professional. Adaptable. Relentlessly committed. The kind of player managers trust implicitly.

Slot’s praise for his mentality wasn’t throwaway. Endo staying on to defend that final set-piece, despite obvious discomfort, reflected a mindset that resonates in dressing rooms.

Losing that influence — especially during a tense run-in — is significant.

A Season Defined by Resilience

Liverpool’s campaign has been shaped by setbacks. Muscle injuries. Suspensions. Form dips. Now another “serious one.”

Yet they remain in the fight.

If Slot can navigate the defensive uncertainty, manage the fixture load and maintain belief within the squad, a top-four finish remains achievable. The margins are slim, but so too are the gaps in the table.

For now, though, attention turns to medical reports and recovery timelines.

“It’s a serious one,” Slot said.

At Anfield this season, those words have been heard too often.