Wataru Endo’s Early Return to Liverpool: Unveiling the Real Reason Beyond Injury
Liverpool fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Wataru Endo is returning to Merseyside early from international duty, but it is not due to injury. The 31-year-old midfielder was set to participate in Japan’s World Cup qualifier against North Korea on Tuesday, March 26. However, the match has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced the postponement on Friday, stating that the decision was made in consultation with FIFA and relevant stakeholders. The AFC was informed by the DPR Korea Football Association that the match needed to be moved to a neutral venue due to unavoidable circumstances. The decision not to stage the match in Pyongyang came after a report from Kyodo News in North Korea, which has no formal diplomatic relations with Tokyo, expressed concerns about infectious diseases in Japan.
Interestingly, Japan had already defeated North Korea in another qualifier in Tokyo on Thursday. Endo was a substitute in that match and only played the last half an hour. This means that he has only played a minimal amount of football during the international break.
From a Liverpool perspective, this is great news. Endo has been a mainstay in the Liverpool side, starting 16 of their last 17 fixtures in all competitions. He has become an integral part of the team due to injuries and has managed to retain his place at the base of midfield even after the return of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
As the season reaches its climax, Liverpool faces another intense period of football. Therefore, a good recovery and rest period for Endo will do him the world of good. This break appears to be much kinder to Liverpool’s players, as Luis Diaz will also remain within Europe with Colombia and play their last game next Tuesday in Madrid.
In conclusion, Wataru Endo’s early return to Liverpool from international duty is not due to injury but rather the postponement of the World Cup qualifier against North Korea. This news is a relief for Liverpool fans, as Endo has been a vital player for the team and will now have a longer recovery period. As the season reaches its climax, this break will provide much-needed rest for Endo and other Liverpool players.