Wataru Endo has admitted believing there could be a chance of a Liverpool move after Moises Caicedo’s rejection.
Moises Caicedo rejecting a move to Liverpool left Wataru Endo hopeful of joining the Reds.
Few could have really expected to see Liverpool make a move for Endo even this time a week ago.
Liverpool had been chasing a deal to sign Moises Caicedo but saw the Brighton star reject a move to Anfield.
Caicedo made it clear that he only wanted to join Chelsea and duly completed his big move to Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool pivoted back to Romeo Lavia but remarkably saw the Belgian pick a move to Chelsea as well.
That meant Liverpool were scrambling for a new holding midfielder and they ended up surprising everybody with a move for Endo.
The Japan international wasn’t really a household name to Premier League fans having previously played in Japan, Belgium and Germany.
Liverpool have pounced for Endo though, completing a deal worth around £16.2million on Friday.
Wataru Endo comments on Moises Caicedo rejecting Liverpool
Endo was preparing to feature for Stuttgart just a few days ago.
Come Saturday, he was making his Liverpool debut as a substitute in the win over Bournemouth.
That’s how quickly football can change but the 30-year-old seemingly had one eye on Liverpool before his move.
Endo has told The Athletic that he had been following Liverpool’s news having been fully aware that they wanted a holding midfielder.
Endo thought that Caicedo had completed his move to Anfield but started to wonder after the Ecuadorian rejected the move.
Liverpool’s new man had a feeling that the Reds wanted more experience after losing Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, so was hopeful of a move.
When the interest came along, Endo jumped at the move and wants to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“To be honest I followed Liverpool’s news, that they wanted midfielders, they wanted a No 6,” said Endo. “I thought Caicedo had gone to Liverpool! (Laughs). So when I heard he went to Chelsea I just thought ‘maybe’. I thought maybe they needed experienced midfielders or something like that, because (Jordan) Henderson and Fabinho had moved. I thought there might be a chance.”
“I understand top clubs want young talent, but you know I just say to myself: ‘This is the only chance you can get to move to Liverpool because they usually try to get younger players.’ I got the chance and I intend to take it,” he added.
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