Wataru Endo has commenced his pre-season training at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre ahead of schedule. The midfielder’s early return follows his exclusion from Japan’s World Cup squad, a decision attributed to fitness concerns after a serious ankle injury.
Endo, who served as Japan’s captain, had not featured for Liverpool since sustaining an ankle injury during a 1-0 victory against Sunderland on February 11. Despite this, he returned to international duty last month, playing 45 minutes in a warm-up match against Iceland on May 31.
World Cup disappointment and international retirement
Despite his return to play, Japan’s head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, confirmed Endo’s omission from the World Cup squad due to ongoing fitness concerns. The tournament is currently being held across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Following this announcement, Endo declared his retirement from the national team via social media.
In his social media message, Endo expressed his frustration at not participating in the World Cup but affirmed he had no regrets, having done everything possible since his injury. He also conveyed pride in the team’s development since the Qatar World Cup, stating his belief that the current squad is exceptional and will overcome challenges.
Endo concluded his message by stating he would now support the Japan national team as a fan, expressing confidence that the team would eventually win the World Cup. He encouraged unity and support for the team in the North and Central America tournament. Japan was eliminated from the tournament in the last-32 round after a 2-1 loss to Brazil.
Pre-season preparations and future at Anfield
Endo posted an image from Liverpool’s Kirkby training base on Thursday, captioned ‘Day 1’, signifying the start of his pre-season. Most of his teammates are expected to return on Monday, July 13. He is scheduled to join the squad for their pre-season tour of the United States, which begins on July 20. The tour includes friendly matches against Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds United in Nashville, New York, and Chicago.
The early return to training offers Endo, who is 33, an opportunity to impress new head coach Andoni Iraola. With several key midfielders, including Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, away on World Cup duty, Iraola will have a reduced group for the initial pre-season assessment.
Endo’s situation at Liverpool is described as delicate. He was signed from Stuttgart for £16m in 2023, initially viewed as a short-term solution, but played a role in the club’s EFL Cup and Premier League successes. His contract runs until 2027, prompting discussions about his future as he enters the final year of his deal.
The prospect of working under Iraola could provide Endo with more game time. While he has been considered a reliable squad option, the absence of other midfielders during pre-season presents a chance for him to demonstrate his value. His defensive instincts, professionalism, and tactical discipline are qualities that a new head coach like Iraola may find useful in establishing team standards.
Despite being 33 and recovering from a long-term injury, Endo faces a critical period to determine if he can re-establish himself as a regular first-team player. The club is reportedly considering midfield additions, with names like Lamine Camara and Alex Scott mentioned, while Mac Allister and Curtis Jones have been linked with potential departures. This summer will be pivotal in deciding whether Endo remains part of Liverpool’s plans or moves on, with Richard Hughes potentially looking to extract value before his contract concludes.
The Liverpool squad is set to depart for their pre-season tour of the United States on July 20.
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Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk
George Hartwell is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB.org, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with twelve years of reporting experience. He reported on West Country football before national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of the West of England and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Bristol, he watches grassroots football and writes a tactics column. “Tactics tell you more than any scoreline.”