After the disappointment of the two failed pursuits for Roméo Lavia and Moisés Caicedo, Liverpool look to have made their third signing of the summer transfer window. Stuttgart captain Wataru Endō is set to arrive for a fee of around £16 million.
The Reds’ transfer committee have been known to catch fans and pundits off guard with some of their purchases, with Endō certainly proving to be no exception. The Japanese international is seen by some as a disappointing addition given that the club were heavily linked with Jude Bellingham less than six months ago.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we spoke to experienced LFC journalist Neil Jones for the down-low on Endō.
‘He Never Stops!’ | Bundesliga Commentator On Liverpool Bound Wataru Endo
Neil said: “In isolation, as a player, it’s someone who Liverpool could do with and can use. In terms of what he’s good at, what his skills are, what his pedigree is, his experience, and the fact that he plays a lot of games.
“I think it’s important that Liverpool got someone in, but the wider element to it is that this guy is not what Liverpool were planning to do at any point this summer.
“I spoke to Nat Phillips yesterday about him who played with him at Stuttgart. He said his skillset is all real endeavour – gets stuck in, wins his tackles, wins his headers, pretty reliable on the ball [over] short distances, consistent, positionally good.
“Endō – from all of the footage, all the stats, all the tributes that you read for him – he’s a holding midfielder who does defensive work, first and foremost. Liverpool have at least – for now – committed to that idea. That was what was needed.
“He’s played in the World Cup. Japan – their game against Germany was one of the best games of the World Cup. What I remember about that game is that they swarmed over Germany in the second half.
“He got a grip of them and really overwhelmed them physically and with energy. If he’s playing in a team that’s capable of doing that, then that’s a good sign as well. It’s a good sign that he’s worn the armband for his club and his country.
“Let’s hope Liverpool can get something else on the back of that. Whether that’s another midfield player, whether that’s a centre-back, whether that’s a forward or that kind of signing. We’ll see. Let’s just hope it’s not the last of Liverpool’s business.
“With Endō – the tea leaves or the history tells you that he’s going to be available. His style feels and sounds and looks selfless. It’s for the team. He’s not coming in with any airs and graces.
“The perception you get from all of the tributes is a ‘solid pro’. There’s nothing wrong with getting a solid pro in from time to time. Obviously, Liverpool need a bit more than solid pros at this moment and they’ve bought more than solid pros in Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. Hopefully, there’s one or two more of those to come.”
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Redmen Reacts
At first reaction, the signing of Wataru Endō signing came across as somewhat perplexing and underwhelming. The 30-year-old is a step down from many of the players that have been linked with LFC over the last 12 months. Some fans and pundits see the purchase as indicative of a slump from the once-heralded transfer committee under Michael Edwards. Jörg Schmadtke has come in for criticism for perceived dithering over Roméo Lavia and last week’s Caicedo saga. However, Endō will represent the club with pride and could be a useful, experienced addition to a midfield full of young talent. He should be backed fully, as should any player who puts on the red shirt. He should be capable of performing well against weaker Premier League sides and in this year’s European campaign. The two weeks remaining until the end of the transfer window will shape how Liverpool’s summer business is perceived. One or two more quality additions could leave the Reds in good shape for the coming season.
Let’s hope this is not the ‘endo’ of the club’s ventures into the transfer market!
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