Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has to convince the Fenway Sports Group to pay up for Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo.
Wataru Endo’s move to Liverpool is one that the club’s owners had to be convinced on by Jurgen Klopp.
That is according to a report from The Athletic, who claim that Klopp had to personally pitch for Endo’s arrival.
It’s stated that Klopp had to convince FSG that a £16.2million fee – and a four-year deal – were reasonable for Endo.
The Reds had missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with Endo representing an entirely different profile given his age and experience.
Why would FSG be concerned about Endo?
The concern here was not only about his ability to step up in the Premier League, but also his age.
Endo had been a solid if unspectacular player for Stuttgart and will turn 31 in February.
Paying decent money and a considerable contract for a player of that profile just isn’t something that FSG usually sanction.
We are more used to seeing Liverpool invest in younger players rather than those already in their 30’s.
FSG seemingly had their reservations but Klopp managed to convince them to striker the deal.
Klopp must have big plans for Endo
For Klopp to fight so hard to Endo’s signature, you have to imagine that he told FSG just how important he will be to Liverpool moving forward.
The Japan international was on the bench for his first game before starting in a bonkers game at Newcastle United.
Endo didn’t exactly shine in that game but it wasn’t the easiest situation in which to shine with Liverpool struggling and down to 10 men for large parts before a stunning impact from Darwin Nunez.
Endo was back on the bench against Aston Villa before the international break with Alexis Mac Allister trusted as the holder.
Liverpool now have Ryan Gravenberch in the mix too but Klopp’s desire to get Endo on board will surely mean he has a big role – whether it’s playing or helping Liverpool’s younger midfielders improve.
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