‘Reds turned’ Wataru Endo (30-Liverpool) overwhelmed “I thought I still had a chance at the big club”
Wataru Endo has become a Reds (Liverpool nickname).토토사이트
The Reds announced on their website on Monday (July 18) that they have “agreed to sign Endo on a long-term contract from Stuttgart. Subject to personal agreement and a medical, he will become our third signing of the summer. Endo joins after four seasons with Stuttgart and is looking forward to starting his new career at Anfield.” The reported transfer fee is €19 million and the contract is for four years until 2027. He will wear the No. 3 shirt, which was left behind by Fabinho, who left for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahly last month.
Jürgen Klopp said: “I am very happy. Endo is a very good player. I know how the football world works. I know how football works. Because Endo is a very good player. He’s experienced, he was captain of Stuttgart and Japan, he’s a great soccer player, he’s a family man, he’s a machine on the pitch. I’m very happy,” he said.
“I got a lot of messages from former players because (the transfer) was rumored. They all said, ‘If (Endo’s signing) is true, it’s a clever reinforcement. I asked him to sign for a few years’. Endo was very well respected in Germany. It was very difficult for Stuttgart, but I think it’s a good deal with only one year left on his contract. It’s a great deal for both Endo and Liverpool. We’re delighted to have him with us.”
Photo: Liverpool
Photo: Liverpool
Photo: Liverpool
Upon arriving at Anfield, Endo said: “I am very happy and excited to join such a big club like Liverpool. I’ve always wanted to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world and in the English Premier League (EPL). It’s a dream come true for me. I used to watch EPL matches with my dad when I was a kid and I loved Steven Gerrard and Liverpool,” he said.
“I had almost 24 hours to decide on this move, so it’s been very hectic. I just said goodbye, flew here, did my medical, and now I’m doing the interview. I was actually a bit surprised when I got the offer, but I also thought, ‘Do I still have a chance to go to a big club?’ It’s a very exciting moment for me and like I said, it’s a dream come true. It’s your first time playing at Anfield. I want to play at Anfield in front of the Liverpool fans,” he added.
There was also talk of shirt numbers. “I wore the number 3 when I played for Stuttgart and the Japan national team. I love this number! I can’t wait to play as No.3 for Liverpool. I want to be an EPL champion and I want to win the UEFA Europa League (UEL). I’m very happy to join this club,” he smiled.
Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images
Getty Images
Liverpool were disappointing last season. The Reds made a late-season surge under Klopp, but ultimately failed to break into the top four. As a result, the Reds failed to qualify for the Champions League (UCL) for the first time in six years after the 2017-18 season. There was a palpable sense of disappointment in and around Anfield.
A major squad shake-up followed the end of the season. Roberto Firmino, a longtime member of the ‘wife line’ at Anfield, left for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia. The biggest hole is in midfield. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Fabinho, as well as moral supporters Jordan Henderson and James Milner, have left the club.
Photo: Liverpool
Photo: Liverpool
Photo: Interfootball DB
The Reds quickly made two midfield additions. First up was Alexis Sanchez. In June, Liverpool announced that they had “completed the signing of McAllister. He has successfully completed a medical and becomes our first signing of the summer transfer window.” McAllister said in June. McAllister said, “It’s an amazing feeling. It’s a dream come true. It’s amazing to be here and I can’t wait to get started. I’ve wanted to be here since the first day of preseason, so it’s nice to have everything finalized. I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates. What we achieved at the World Cup and at Brighton was fantastic, but now it’s time to think about Liverpool and try to be a better player and person every day.” He will wear the number 10 shirt.
Next up is Dominik Sobosler. “We brought in Sobosler after McAllister in July. This is our second signing of the summer,” it was officially announced. Coming to the EPL from the German Bundesliga, Sobosler said, “I’m looking forward to life at Liverpool. The last three or four days have been long and not easy. But I’m here and I’m happy. Liverpool is a historic club and I like the players and the coaches.” He will wear the number 8 shirt worn by Steven Gerrard.
The investment continued. Moises Kaysedo and Romeo Rabia were both snapped up by Chelsea, and Kaysedo in particular was so close that transfer market pundit Fabrizio Romano put up his signature “Here we go” sign. “I heard that the deal for Caido has been agreed with the club. We will have to wait and see with the player.” However, Kaysedo’s hopes were set on Chelsea, who had wanted him for a long time, and so he headed to London. Liverpool paid an astronomical amount of money for the player, and it was a blow to their pride.
Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images
Getty Images
And so the 2023-24 season began. Liverpool’s surprise pick was Endo. Endo had played for Shonan Belmare, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Sint-Truiden before settling in at Stuttgart. He had the versatility to play as a center back as well as in the middle and third positions and was loved for his dedication. Since 2021, he has also led his teammates as captain. At the age of 30, Endo will be making his first appearance in England with Liverpool.
England fans may not be familiar with Endo. Ahead of the official signing, British journalist Andy Johnson of The Athletic highlighted Endo’s impending move to Liverpool. “Endo is set to become Liverpool’s third player to sign this summer. He has 12 months left on his contract, but the Reds’ attempts to fill the defensive midfield void have continued,” Johnson began.
“When Al Ittihad signed Fabinho, the search for a new number six spiked. Finding a replacement became a necessity, not an option. Not one of the youngsters that had been linked with the role all summer, such as Romeo Rabia, Moises Caicedo, Ryan Hrabenberg or Kérén Touraine. The established and experienced Endo is at the other end of the spectrum. His experience looks to be an important asset with the departures of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner.”
Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images
Getty Images
“It is unusual for Liverpool to pay €19 million for a 30-year-old player. They may have lost Fabinho, who was called ‘Lighthouse’ and ‘Dyson’, but in comes Endo, who is called ‘Soldier’, ‘Warrior’ and ‘Bodyguard’. He can play as a central midfielder and defensive midfielder, and has previously played as a center back. He is probably best suited for a defensive number eight role. Endo is known as a dedicated professional who is loved by Stuttgart.”
“Alexis McAllister and Dominik Sobosler both have fitness records. So does Endo. In the last three seasons, she has played 99 of the 102 available games and missed only three,” he said, noting her high utilization.
Leadership was also mentioned. “Endo has worn the captain’s armband for Stuttgart and the Japanese national team,” Johnson writes. He’s a shy, humble, quiet leader. He may not say much, but he carries a lot of weight. He also speaks good English and tends to make the difference at key moments. Time will tell if it was the right decision. He could prove to be a player who can fill a gap in Liverpool’s squad. Whether he will have enough of an impact is difficult to judge, but at least he provides some safety.”
Photo: Liverpool
Liverpool
Photo: Liverpool
Expectations are high for Endo at Anfield, with the possibility that he could make his debut straight away. Klopp said: “He’s here now and he’s been training since this afternoon. I don’t know if he will be available for tomorrow’s game. We will see. Stefan Bačetić is close, but not yet. The same goes for Thiago Alcantara. We need to give them time and we can’t rush them,” he said, adding that he was not sure.
Liverpool will look for their first win of the season when they host Bournemouth in the second leg of the 2023-24 EPL at Anfield on September 19 at 11pm. Endo will be looking to make his dream EPL debut.
Photo: Liverpool
Photo: Liverpool
Photo: Liverpool