Wataru Endo begins early Liverpool pre-season after World Cup omission
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 due to fitness concerns.
Endo, who had not played for Liverpool since sustaining a severe ankle injury during a 1-0 victory against Sunderland on February 11, made a return to international duty last month. He featured for 45 minutes in Japan’s warm-up match against Iceland on May 31.
Despite his appearance, Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu confirmed Endo’s omission from the World Cup squad, citing ongoing fitness issues related to his injury. The tournament is being held across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Following this decision, Endo announced his retirement from the national team via social media. He expressed pride in the team’s development since the Qatar World Cup and stated his intention to support Japan as a fan.
On Thursday, Endo shared an image from the club’s training base in Kirkby, captioned ‘Day 1’, indicating the start of his pre-season. The majority of his teammates are expected to return on Monday, July 13.
Endo is scheduled to join the squad for their pre-season tour in the United States, which begins on July 20. During the tour, Andoni Iraola’s team will play friendly matches against Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds United in Nashville, New York, and Chicago.
Impact of early return and new management
The early start to pre-season for Wataru Endo comes at a significant time for Liverpool. The club saw the departure of Arne Slot on May 30, 2026, after his first season delivered a Premier League title in 2024/25, followed by a subsequent drop-off in 2025/26. Andoni Iraola has now taken over with the task of reshaping the squad.
With several key midfielders, including Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, participating in the FIFA World Cup, Iraola will have a reduced group for the initial stages of pre-season. This situation could provide an opportunity for Endo to make an impression on the new head coach.
Endo, who is 33, missed the end of the previous season due to his ankle injury. Despite not being considered the most high-profile player, he has often been a reliable option for Liverpool since his transfer from Stuttgart in 2023 for £16m. He played a role in both the EFL Cup and Premier League successes.
His contract extends until 2027, meaning the club is approaching a point where a decision regarding his future will need to be made. With the final year of his deal approaching, this summer is seen as a crucial period for Endo at Liverpool.
The club has been linked with potential midfield acquisitions, such as Lamine Camara and Alex Scott, while there have also been discussions about possible exits for players like Mac Allister and Curtis Jones. This places Endo in a delicate position within the squad.
Endo’s attributes, including his defensive instincts, professionalism, and tactical discipline, are qualities that a new head coach like Iraola could value in establishing team standards. While he may not be central to Liverpool’s long-term rebuilding plans, he could still play a practical role in a squad aiming for consistency.
The upcoming pre-season will be important in determining whether Endo remains a part of the team’s plans or becomes part of the squad turnover. Japan was eliminated from the World Cup in the last-32 round after Brazil secured a 2-1 victory.
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Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
