As reported by the ECHO, the Reds have made contact over the availability of the 30-year-old, who was regarded among the best in his position in the Bundesliga last season. The player has been granted permission by Stuttgart to talk with Liverpool.

Further bolstering the midfield had remained a priority for Liverpool, despite the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai at the start of the window. It also remained to be seen how the club would proceed after the double disappointment with Caicedo and Lavia.

And now it appears that in a bid to bring in a proven defensive midfielder before the transfer window closes, the Reds have turned to Endo, who can also play centre-back. The ECHO understands that Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke has used his contacts in Germany to help make a move for the player.

But while there are some who are questioning the transfer, a statement made by Sven Mislintat, the former Stuttgart sporting director who is now at West Ham, perfectly summed up why Liverpool have made a move for Endo.