Ex-Liverpool star makes immediate Trent Alexander-Arnold point after Wataru Endo injury

Liverpool's injury problems continued against Sunderland as Wataru Endo was forced off on a stretcher, with the right-back position proving a curse this season

Wataru Endo appears in serious discomfort after suffering the injury

Liverpool's issues at right back persisted against Sunderland on Wednesday as Wataru Endo was forced off in the second half.

Arne Slot has already lost Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong to injury, with the former set for an extended spell on the sidelines. Dominik Szoboszlai has deputized this term but was banned at the Stadium of Light following his red card against Manchester City.

Joe Gomez has had his own injury problems and was only fit enough for the bench, with Endo getting a rare start on the right of Liverpool's defense. But the Japanese international's night ended on a sour note.

Endo did excellently to turn a dangerous cross behind for a corner but landed awkwardly, appearing to twist his knee. The versatile Reds star attempted to carry on to defend the set piece but soon went down in serious discomfort.

After receiving treatment, Endo eventually left the game on a stretcher and ex-Reds midfielder Joe Cole couldn't help but think of Liverpool's former long-serving right back, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Cole said: "It looked a bad one. He is a tough cookie for getting up and sticking at it when the corner came in. But it doesn't look good.

"You get that rush of adrenaline and try to play on. And sometimes you end up doing more damage. It looks a sore one. It is easy with hindsight. But sometimes you are easy just going off than trying to play on.

Alexander-Arnold made the move last summer(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

"Trent had that position sewn up for a long time. Him leaving, you would have wanted whoever replaced him to have a run of games. That has not been the case."

Coincidentally, Alexander-Arnold has had injury problems of his own since joining Real Madrid this summer. He has failed to nail down a starting spot at the Bernabeu, with Dani Carvajal often preferred.

Speaking on Liverpool's issues in that position ahead of the game, Arne Slot said: "I can definitely say we haven't been lucky, that is true.

"But the moment you think it's just bad luck then it comes to you as well. So we need to keep away from that and focus on improving performances. The amount of times we are conceded late on is more than usual, so what's the reason for that.

"Even if we sign a player and he's not even playing for us, he gets injured!"