Wataru Endo looks set to be Liverpool's third signing of the summer and could fill a vital role in the squad
After originally saying goodbye to Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita at the end of May on their own terms, the same cannot be said about the Saudi Arabia purge that resulted in Liverpool's shock departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho just weeks later.
Now, though, ahead of this weekend's Anfield return against AFC Bournemouth, they have moved swiftly to progress with a deal for VfB Stuttgart and Japan midfielder Wataru Endo. But a more in-depth dive into the background of the veteran midfielder should familiarise Kopties with precisely what they will be welcoming to Anfield. Clearly, after a summer of surprises, Liverpool are looking at ways to replace the wealth of knowledge they have been deprived of following the summer exits of Henderson, Milner and Fabinho. Between them, the trio tallied over 5,600 minutes of Premier League action last season.
"How we finished games, it was always James Milner came on, stuff like that, and finished the game pretty much for us in a super-professional way," said Klopp, during last month's pre-season tour of Singapore. "In the end – the last few weeks and months – maybe he finished more of the games off. We have players for that role, younger players, and it just opens doors and that's what we need. Yes, we as a group want to put things right.
And having featured in two World Cups for the Samurai Blues, the Stuttgart midfielder clearly has an abundance of experience that will prove to be vital this term as the likes of Stefan Bajcetic, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister all look to settle in during their first full seasons at Anfield.
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