Wataru Endo to return to Liverpool as Japan knocked out of Asian Cup

Wataru Endo's involvement with the Japanese national team at the Asian Cup is over after their 2-1 loss to Iran in the quarter-final.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Japan who had a 1-0 lead but conceded the decisive goal in the 96th minute to Alireza Jahanbakhsh's penalty. Endo played the full game with a captain's armband.

Now, Endo is set to return to Liverpool. It's not clear when he is due to fly back from Qatar, nor when he will be able to play for the Reds.

It means that Liverpool have only Mo Salah, Stefan Bajcetic and Joel Matip as players unavailable for selection.

'I would be overly happy if they go out of the group stage!': Klopp on Salah and Endo leaving for AFCON and Asian Cup