Wataru Endo gets World Cup lifeline after surgery and Liverpool injury absence

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Endo will be hoping to return to the squad for the last game of the season to gain some minutes before shifting his focus to tournament football.His inclusion in Japan’s squad is positive news for Endo and suggests he could still return to action before the end of the season, with a late comeback now a realistic possibility.Wataru Endo had to be stretchered off after picking up an injury in Liverpool's win over Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)Last month, Endo said that he was moved to tears by the backing he received from Liverpool's travelling supporters as he was being stretchered off at the Stadium of Light. “I still remember that the cross came into the box and I just tried to clear it outside of the goal… I think I put my whole weight on my left foot and then it got injured.

It was painful, of course" said the Reds midfielder told Kodansha’s Red Machine podcast series.“I was thinking [that] I couldn’t play anymore. [I got up] because Robbo [ Andy Robertson ] told me, ‘We have to defend this corner so if you can just try to do it and then after we defend the corner you go down again.’ I just tried to stand up but it was so painful... I just wanted to help the team even if I got injured.“It was painful.

The doctor asked me if I could stand up and walk off the pitch but I said no and I was crying a little bit... I think it felt less painful because of that and I really appreciate it because I haven’t played a lot of games this season, but I always try to help the team even if I just play five minutes or 10 minutes, it doesn’t matter."But in that moment I could feel that our fans were still trying to support me and that meant a lot. [Also] I’ve got a lot of comments on social media after the injury.