Liverpool handed Wataru Endo boost after Japan knocked out of Asian Cup

Liverpool are set to welcome Wataru Endo back to domestic action after his Japan side were surprisingly knocked out of the Asian Cup

Japan went into Asian Cup as tournament favourites having finished as runners-up in 2019

Japan have been eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

Despite boasting talent such as Endo, Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo and Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu, Japan fell to Iran 2-1 in the last eight

Hidemasa Morita had put the Samurai Blue ahead midway through the first half before Mohammad Mohebi equalised for Iran

With the game heading to extra-time, Iran were awarded a 96th-minute penalty, and former Brighton winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh converted to send Japan home.

Endo will now be released from international duty and return to Liverpool.

Though the midfielder will be unable to face Arsenal on Sunday, he is expected to be eligible when Burnley visit Anfield next Saturday.

Since Endo departed for the Asian Cup, Liverpool have gone unbeaten in six games, winning five of those.

Endo has already played 25 games for Liverpool across all competitions