Jürgen Klopp gets unexpected boost as Liverpool star to return early from international duty

Jürgen Klopp gets unexpected boost as Liverpool star to return early from international duty

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endō is set to make an early return to the AXA Training Centre. He had been due to play for Japan against North Korea on Tuesday.


Wataru Endō is set to return to Liverpool earlier than planned after Japan's next World Cup qualifier was postponed. Japan had been due to face North Korea in a double-header this week.

The first match took place on Thursday as Japan won 1-0, with the second qualifying match scheduled to take place in North Korea on Tuesday March 26. The hosts had requested the match be moved to a neutral venue though due to 'unavoidable circumstances'.

But the Asian Football Confederation has announced that the match has now been postponed, with Japan captain Endō set to head back to Merseyside.

A statement read: "The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed today that the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Group B fixture between DPR Korea and Japan, scheduled to be played on March 26, 2024, will not take place as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances.

"The decision, taken in consultation with FIFA and relevant stakeholders, comes after the AFC was informed on March 20 by the DPR Korea Football Association of the need to move the match to a neutral venue due to unavoidable circumstances. The matter will now be referred to the relevant Committees in FIFA with further updates to be communicated in due course."

Japan has won all three of its group stage matches so far and tops its group, ahead of Syria, North Korea and Myanmar. Endō appeared as a substitute in the win on Thursday night, having played the entire 120 minutes against Manchester United in the FA Cup last Sunday.

He can now return early to the AXA Training Centre before Liverpool's next match after the March international break against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday 31 March. Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez has also withdrawn from the Uruguay squad due to a problem he picked up at Old Trafford, although it is believed to only be a precaution.

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