Liverpool Injury News: Endo, Wirtz & Bradley Updates | 2026 Preview

Liverpool’s injury concerns continue to mount as midfielder Wataru Endo underwent surgery and may miss the remainder of the season, while Florian Wirtz remains sidelined for Tuesday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Endo sustained an ankle injury during Liverpool’s 1-0 victory at Sunderland last month, falling awkwardly while making a clearance. Initially, there was hope he might return before the conclude of the 2025-26 campaign, but a recent development has cast doubt on that possibility. The Japan international has undergone surgery in an attempt to be fit for this summer’s World Cup.

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu confirmed the surgery, stating, “I’ve heard that he had surgery. I’ve heard that it went well, but I don’t know the details of how it went. The plan is for him to be ready in time for the World Cup, so the rehabilitation process from surgery onwards is being considered.”

Should Endo be unable to return this season, Liverpool will be without three key players for the remainder of the campaign. Right-back Conor Bradley and defender Giovanni Leoni are both sidelined with knee injuries and are not expected back until pre-season training.

Endo’s absence represents a significant blow to Liverpool’s midfield depth, particularly given his versatility. He has frequently been deployed in a defensive midfield role, providing crucial cover for the back four and breaking up opposition attacks. His leadership and experience will also be missed.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Liverpool, as they navigate a congested fixture schedule and compete on multiple fronts. Arne Slot will need to rely on his remaining midfield options – including Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch – to fill the void left by Endo’s absence.

Meanwhile, Arne Slot has confirmed that Florian Wirtz will miss Tuesday’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a back injury. Wirtz has been struggling with the issue recently, and Slot admitted that his recovery is taking longer than initially anticipated.

“I think that will be too early,” Slot said after Liverpool’s 5-2 victory over West Ham. “But I said last week I didn’t expect him not to be available for today, so sometimes with an injury things can develop in a positive way or in a negative way. Now we are thinking it doesn’t have to take too long, but Tuesday will probably be too early. The week after will be tight as things stand now, but as I said, I thought that he would be available for today as well, which didn’t happen unfortunately.”

Wirtz’s absence further complicates matters for Slot, who is already without Endo and Bradley. The German international has been a key player for Liverpool this season, contributing goals and assists from an attacking midfield position. His creativity and ability to unlock defenses will be sorely missed against Wolves.

The injuries to Endo and Wirtz highlight the physical demands of modern football and the importance of squad depth. Liverpool will need to manage the workload of their remaining players carefully to avoid further injuries and maintain their competitiveness throughout the season.

The club will be hoping for positive news on the recovery fronts of all three players, but the prospect of being without them for an extended period is a cause for concern. The upcoming matches will provide an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their worth, and Slot will be looking for a strong response from his team in the face of adversity.

The situation with Endo is particularly delicate, given his involvement with the Japanese national team. The club will need to work closely with the Japan FA to ensure that his rehabilitation is managed effectively and that he returns to fitness in time for the World Cup, should he be selected.

Liverpool’s medical team will be working around the clock to provide the best possible care for Endo, Wirtz, Bradley, and Leoni. The club’s fans will be hoping to see all four players back on the pitch as soon as possible, contributing to Liverpool’s pursuit of silverware on all fronts.