Jurgen Klopp says he is delighted Liverpool found a speedy solution to their midfield issues after missing out on the signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.

On Friday, Liverpool announced the signing of VfB Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo on a four-year deal, with the Reds paying £16m for the Bundesliga veteran. It came less than a week after the Reds had agreed a British record fee with Brighton & Hove Albion for Caicedo, before later having another bid for Lavia rejected.

Speaking on Endo’s arrival ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth, Klopp said: “I’m really happy we can announce the agreement with the club AND the player.

“That’s really cool. I’m absolutely happy. I am from Germany, watch lots of Bundesliga, known him since Stuttgart and liked him pretty much from the start. A late bloomer”

On the difficulties of Liverpool’s failed pursuits of both Caicedo and Lavia, who opted to sign lucrative, long-term contracts at Stamford Bridge, he added: “The last week was a tricky one, no doubt about that. But I’m more than happy with the solution.