“We’re here for him. It’s a significant blow for the squad because of what he brings off the pitch too.” Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence on the “devastating” injury that some fear could signal the end of a teammate’s Anfield career!

"We're Here for Him": Van Dijk Breaks Silence on "Devastating" Injury That Could End Anfield Career

By admin On Feb 18, 2026

The human cost of Liverpool’s injury-ravaged season has been laid bare, with Virgil van Dijk delivering a poignant tribute to a teammate whose latest setback threatens to bring a premature end to his Anfield career. The Dutch captain’s words offer a rare glimpse into the emotional toll of football’s relentless physical demands.

**”We’re here for him. It’s a significant blow for the squad because of what he brings off the pitch too.”**

That statement, delivered with the quiet gravity of a leader who has seen teammates come and go, confirms the worst fears surrounding a player whose fight for fitness has become a heartbreaking saga. The identity of the player? Wataru Endo. And the prognosis is devastating.

## The Endo Injury: A Season Defined by Setbacks

The Japan international’s latest misfortune occurred during Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland last week . Tasked with deputising at right-back in Dominik Szoboszlai’s absence—the Hungarian was controversially suspended following his red card against Manchester City—Endo slotted into defence with his characteristic professionalism .

Then came the moment that has plunged his future into doubt.

Making a routine clearance, the 33-year-old landed awkwardly and immediately signalled distress. He was stretchered from the pitch wearing an inflatable cast, a sight that sent concern rippling through the Stadium of Light .

Arne Slot’s post-match assessment was chillingly frank:

**”His injury doesn’t look good. I expect him to be out, unfortunately, for quite a long time again”** .

The exact nature and extent of Endo’s injury remain undisclosed, with recovery timelines unknown . But the words “quite a long time again” carry devastating weight for a player who has already endured multiple setbacks this season.

## What Endo Brings: More Than Minutes on the Pitch

Van Dijk’s tribute focuses not on Endo’s on-field contributions—though those have been significant—but on the **intangible qualities** that make him indispensable to Liverpool’s dressing room.

**”What he brings off the pitch too”** is the crucial phrase. In a squad navigating a defensive injury crisis that has at times left Virgil van Dijk as the only fit senior centre-back , Endo’s presence as a leader, a calming influence, and a professional example has been invaluable.

The Japan captain has been forced into makeshift defensive roles repeatedly this season, Slot turning to him at right-back in Szoboszlai’s absence and in other emergency situations . His willingness to sacrifice personal performance for team needs has earned him universal respect.

## The Defensive Crisis Context: Why This Injury Cuts So Deep

Endo’s latest setback cannot be viewed in isolation. It is the latest chapter in a defensive injury nightmare that has defined Liverpool’s 2025-26 campaign .

The casualty list tells a harrowing story:

At one point, Liverpool faced a Champions League fixture with **only Van Dijk as a natural centre-back** . Slot has been forced to deploy midfielders Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Endo himself at right-back, with mixed results .

## The Endo Profile: An Unsung Hero

Endo’s Liverpool career has been defined by quiet professionalism. Signed from Stuttgart, the Japan international was never expected to be a headline act. Instead, he has provided:

– **Versatility**: Capable of operating in midfield or defence as required
– **Experience**: A calming presence in a young squad navigating pressure
– **Leadership**: Captain of his national team, respected universally by teammates
– **Selflessness**: Willing to play anywhere, anytime, without complaint

Van Dijk’s tribute acknowledges that these qualities cannot be easily replaced. When a player of Endo’s character is sidelined, the squad loses not just a body but a **spirit, a presence, a standard-bearer**.

## The Emotional Toll: “We’re Here for Him”

The most powerful element of Van Dijk’s statement is the simple declaration of solidarity. **”We’re here for him”** speaks to a dressing room that understands the human reality behind the professional athlete.

For a player facing months of rehabilitation, knowing that his teammates—and especially his captain—stand with him provides psychological sustenance that no medical treatment can offer. Van Dijk, who has himself navigated major injuries including the ACL tear that sidelined him for months in 2020 , understands this intimately.

## The Career Question: Could This Be the End?

At 33, Endo faces an agonising question: after a season defined by stop-start fitness, multiple setbacks, and now a potentially significant layoff, can he return to the level required at a club challenging for Premier League and Champions League honours?

The phrase **”could signal the end of a teammate’s Anfield career”** reflects the brutal arithmetic of elite sport. Liverpool are already planning a “major summer” of transfer activity, with Van Dijk himself confirming that the club intends to be busy in the upcoming window . Squad evolution does not wait for individual recoveries.

If Endo’s absence extends into the summer, and if Liverpool strengthen in midfield and defensive areas, his path back to regular football becomes increasingly narrow. The club may face a difficult decision about whether to offer a new contract to a player who turns 34 next season, with limited recent game time and an uncertain recovery timeline.

## The Van Dijk Leadership: Setting the Tone

Van Dijk’s willingness to speak publicly about Endo’s situation reflects his growth as Liverpool’s captain. Throughout the season, he has been the consistent presence holding together a fractured defence . His words carry weight because he has earned the right to speak.

The Dutchman recently emphasised the importance of squad reinforcement, stating that Liverpool should be able to “challenge for titles in the upcoming years” and that “it should be a big summer” . That long-term perspective coexists with genuine care for a teammate in distress—the mark of a true leader.

## What Comes Next

For Endo, the immediate focus is rehabilitation. The club’s medical staff will assess the full extent of his injury and design a recovery programme. Slot’s “quite a long time” suggests weeks or months rather than days .

For Liverpool, the priority is navigating the immediate fixture list with threadbare defensive resources. Frimpong’s carefully managed return offers hope , and Gomez’s availability—however limited—provides cover . But every match feels precarious.

For Van Dijk and the squad, the message is one of solidarity. Football moves fast, contracts expire, and careers end. But while Endo remains a Liverpool player, he will not face this battle alone.

## The Final Word

**”We’re here for him. It’s a significant blow for the squad because of what he brings off the pitch too.”**

Van Dijk’s tribute captures the essence of Wataru Endo’s Liverpool career: not defined by headlines or highlight reels, but by quiet contribution, selfless sacrifice, and the respect of those who know him best.

The injury may yet end his Anfield journey. But if it does, he will leave knowing that his captain—and his club—stood with him until the end.

For Liverpool fans, it’s a moment to reflect on the human cost of the beautiful game. For Endo, it’s the beginning of another fight.

And for the dressing room at Anfield, the message is clear: no one fights alone.

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