SURGICAL SECRETS: WHAT KIND OF OPERATION DID WATARU ENDO ACTUALLY HAVE THIS WEEK?
Endo surgery success: Get the latest from Hajime Moriyasu on Wataru’s World Cup opener goals and the Liverpool injury fallout today.
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu says Liverpool’s Wataru Endo recently had surgery and now has his sights set on being fit for this summer’s World Cup. Endo got stretchered off with a foot injury during Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Sunderland back on February 11.
There’s still no clear timeline for Endo’s return. Liverpool boss Arne Slot did sound hopeful earlier, saying the Japan captain could play again before the season ends. But with Endo out, Slot’s now down to just four senior midfielders.
Moriyasu’s latest comments don’t really offer much hope for Liverpool fans wanting to see Endo back soon. Speaking to Nikkan Sports, he said Endo’s working toward being ready for Japan’s World Cup opener against the Netherlands on June 14, three days after the tournament starts.
“I’ve heard he had surgery and that it went well, but I don’t know the full details,” Moriyasu said. “The plan is to have him fit in time for the World Cup, so everyone’s focused on his rehab. He wants to play, the club wants it, and so do we. We’re all on the same page.”
Back on February 13, Slot told reporters that Endo would be out for a good while. “We still need to do some assessments, but he’ll be sidelined for quite a long time,” the 47-year-old said.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admitted the whole squad is pretty down about Endo’s injury. “It’s a shame; we were all really gutted after the Sunderland game,” Van Dijk said. “I had a similar foot injury when I was at Southampton, and it’s tough to deal with. But we’re here for him; we’ll support him in any way we can.
“It’s not great, he’s such a key part of the team, a real leader. On the pitch, he gives everything, and you could see that in the game. It’s a big blow, but we have to deal with it, and we will. Hopefully he’s not out too long, but honestly, it looks like it’ll be a while.”
ANDY ROBERTSON CONFIRMS LIVERPOOL EXIT; FOUR EUROPEAN GIANTS BATTLE FOR HIS SIGNATURE
Andy Robertson confirms he is leaving Liverpool. Explore his 4 potential moves to Napoli, Juventus, Spurs, or Atletico.
Andy Robertson has confirmed he’s leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing his nine-year run at Anfield to a close. The 32-year-old left-back will walk away as a free agent, and he’s not short of suitors; four clubs are reportedly keen to sign him.
Robertson’s time at Liverpool has been loaded with silverware: two Premier League titles, a Champions League, two League Cups, an FA Cup, plus the Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Community Shield. But things have changed for him recently. Since Liverpool signed Milos Kerkez, Robertson has struggled to get consistent minutes and has started only 15 games this season. He wanted a move over the winter but stayed put when Liverpool couldn’t find his replacement. Now, with an exit set in stone, the hunt for someplace he can play regularly is on.
Tottenham Hotspur was close to a deal in January. Robertson had reportedly agreed to terms, but Liverpool pulled the plug when they couldn’t bring in someone new. If Spurs want him this summer, they’ll have to convince him their future is stable. Relegation shouldn’t even be a possibility, but this season’s been a mess for them. If they do go down, there’s almost no chance Robertson would agree to play in the Championship.
Atletico Madrid is another option. They already tried to get Robertson last summer, probably seeing him as a perfect player for Diego Simeone’s tough, aggressive style. Atletico looks set for another season in the Champions League, and after beating Barcelona 2-0 at Camp Nou in the quarters, they’ve shown they can go deep. If Robertson wants to keep chasing big European nights, Madrid might be calling.
Juventus have their eye on him, too. The club has a long history of snapping up seasoned players on free transfers, and Robertson fits the mould. Juve is fighting just to get back into the Champions League these days, but its leadership could help lift the mood and the results in Turin. Andrea Cambiaso is their starter at left-back right now, but adding Robertson’s experience wouldn’t hurt on the pitch or in the dressing room.
Finally, there’s Napoli. They’re much closer to the title fight in Serie A, closing the gap on Inter Milan and riding a wave of five straight wins. Antonio Conte would likely see Robertson as a great option for his back-five system. The Scot has played as a wing-back and on the left side of a back three for both Liverpool and Scotland, so the fit makes sense. Plus, Napoli would give him another shot at winning trophies in a city that lives for football.
So, Robertson’s next move isn’t set yet, but wherever he goes, he brings a wealth of experience and a hunger to play every week. He’s not done winning.
ALAN SHEARER DEMANDS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY FOR ARNE SLOT TO KEEP JOB
Arne Slot under fire! See the Shearer vs Richards debate on The Rest Is Football podcast about Liverpool’s future.
Alan Shearer thinks Arne Slot needs to actually win the Champions League if he wants to stay in charge at Liverpool, but Micah Richards sees things differently. He says Slot deserves another season, no matter what happens.
Right now, Slot’s under real pressure. Liverpool’s Premier League title defence has been a mess. They got humiliated in the FA Cup, losing 4-0 to Manchester City, and things aren’t looking any better as they head to France to face PSG in the Champions League quarter-final. If they don’t win in Europe, they probably miss out on the Champions League next season at least, that’s how Shearer sees it, since their league form has been awful.
On The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer was blunt: “It’s crazy, especially after last season and all the money they’ve spent. It just hasn’t worked; they’re all over the place, so inconsistent. He has to win the Champions League. I’m not even sure finishing top five will be enough, and it’s just sad seeing how things have gone at Liverpool.”
Back in January, Shearer said he expected Slot to get sacked if he didn’t secure Champions League football for next year. There’s a small lifeline: the Premier League might get an extra Champions League spot through the coefficient rankings, but that’s not confirmed yet.
If that happens, fifth place gets you in. Liverpool is fifth right now, but the race is tight. Only five points separate them from ninth-place Fulham, and teams like Chelsea, Brentford, and Everton are waiting for any slip-ups, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Shearer’s convinced Slot is in trouble if he misses out on the top European competition. Richards, though, thinks the Dutchman’s earned more patience, especially after winning the league just last season.
Richards said, “I’d give him another season. I hate calling it a transition, and yeah, he’s spent a lot of money, but their main striker’s been out injured, there’s been tragedy in the club, the whole contract saga with Salah has been one thing after another. Give him one more pre-season. If things aren’t fixed by Christmas, then fine, make the change. Let’s not forget, he just won the Premier League.”
Shearer wasn’t buying it. He cut in: “That’s fine, but after winning the league, they’re miles off this season, even after all that spending. I hear what you’re saying about bad luck and circumstances, but this is Liverpool. They’re expected to win, and they’ve spent a fortune. They might not even finish in the top five, that’s why he has to win the Champions League.”
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