Every Liverpool game Wataru Endo could miss for 2023 Asian Cup

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·13. Dezember 2023

Every Liverpool game Wataru Endo could miss for 2023 Asian Cup

Wataru Endo will leave Liverpool early next year to take part in the 2023 Asian Cup with Japan. Here are the fixtures he'll miss.

The 2023 Asian Cup will take place early next year. Qatar are hosting the tournament, which will run from January 12th through February 10th. It's a tournament that was supposed to take place last summer but various circumstances meant it was postponed until now.

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Japan will take part, having qualified long ago, and that means Liverpool's Wataru Endo will play. Thus the Reds will be without Endo for at least a little while, depending on how his country does at the tournament.

The Africa Cup of Nations actually takes place at almost exactly the same time (January 13th through February 11th), leaving Liverpool a little short. Mohamed Salah will be at that one, of course.

You can see which games he'll potentially miss here.

But what will Endo miss? Here are the Liverpool fixtures the midfielder is potentially absent for.

Which Liverpool fixtures will Wataru Endo miss?

Now, exactly when Endo will disappear isn't clear - it depends on when Japan call up their players and want them with the national side. But if they're lenient, the Reds should have their defensive midfielder for all fixtures up to and including the FA Cup 3rd Round clash with Arsenal on January 7th.

Liverpool then enjoy a brief winter break, which dramatically decreases the number of games Endo misses. They won't resume January 21st when they travel to Bournemouth.

Endo certainly won't be back for that one as Japan have their final group-stage game on the 24th. But it does mean that the Bournemouth fixture is the only game Liverpool are guaranteed to be without him. The rest depends on how Japan does at the tournament.

They're highly likely to get out of their group, however, as it's possible three of the four qualify. The earliest Round of 16 game is the 29th of January and Liverpool play on the 31st against Chelsea. Even if Japan are knocked out immediately, Endo won't be back in time for that one.

If Japan make the quarter-finals, Endo will also miss the trip to Arsenal on February 3rd. If they exit at that stage or the semi-finals, it's possible that he could return as Liverpool host Burnley on February 10th. That's ruled out if they make the final, however.