‘Exceptional’ Liverpool player missed training yesterday after being taken off vs Man United

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Liverpool had plenty of good news on Tuesday as four first-team players returned from injury.

The Reds have done superbly well without the quartet of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker and Stefan Bajcetic.

However, their comebacks into a team who are pushing to win the Premier League and Europa League should be very timely indeed.

It feels as though tomorrow’s visit of Atalanta may come a little too soon for any involvement. But after that, Liverpool will be a better team for having four more, quality players available.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news at the AXA Training Centre, though. As often feels to be the way, Jurgen Klopp gained some options back, but seemingly lost one in the process.

Who was missing from training yesterday

With Jota, Trent, Alisson and Bajcetic coming back, Klopp would virtually have the whole of his first-team squad available to him.

Thiago Alcantara is still side-lined and it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard will be back at all this season. Thiago aside though, there would be no further issues.

However, with games coming thick and fast and the intensity incredibly high, there’s always the possibility for knocks.

One man who looks to have picked one up is Wataru Endo. The Japanese midfielder sat out of last week’s midweek win over Sheffield United having felt something the previous weekend against Brighton. He did start on Sunday at Old Trafford, but was substituted with around 20 minutes remaining.

And according to the Liverpool ECHO, Endo was not spotted out on the training pitches with his teammates yesterday.

There’s no further information on exactly what the 31-year-old’s issue is or whether he’ll be ready for tomorrow’s game. We expect Klopp will have more information when he speaks to the press later today.

How important to Liverpool is Wataru Endo

With Bajcetic in particular coming back to fitness, Liverpool should be able to cope without Endo for a game or two.

The 19-year-old won’t be ready to go straight away. However, he is the Reds’ most natural alternative in defensive midfield. With plenty of other options to rotate in the midfield too, Liverpool should be fine.

Having said that, Endo continues to be brilliant whenever he’s in the team. Klopp previously called the former Stuttgart man ‘exceptional’ and it’s fair to say he has exceeded all expectations.

It’s credit to Endo that you’re now left wanting him back fit and in the side as soon as possible. Liverpool can manage without him in the short-term, but he better be back for the season’s run-in. Let’s wait to hear from Klopp on that front.