Jurgen Klopp first noticed Wataru Endo during a preseason game in 2020, when the midfielder jokingly advised Takumi Minamino, a fellow countryman, to say he was younger.
Liverpool played Stuttgart in order to practice for their upcoming Premier League title defense in 2020–2021. Endo, a recent addition, played for the opponents.
It was Klopp’s first opportunity to view the man who he would subsequently sign to Anfield three years later, and the midfielder undoubtedly left a lasting impression.
Although the Reds won the friendly 3-0, Endo’s performance gave Klopp cause to inquire of Minamino: “How old is that No. 3?”
It comes from an intriguing account from the Japanese publication Synchronous, where it is reported that Endo mockingly retorted to his fellow countryman, “Try to say 23 years old!”
The Japan captain, who was 27 at the time, was obviously excited about the idea of moving and wanted to make sure that his age wasn’t a deterrent to any potential transfers.
Endo joined the team from the Bundesliga team last month, and it appears that the management has long admired him, as evidenced by his summer move.
Although the preseason match took place three years prior, Liverpool nonetheless turned to the 30-year-old who had excelled that summer when they needed to bolster their defensive midfield.
Given his age profile, several people were surprised by his £16.25 million move from Stuttgart, but it appears Klopp was the driving force behind the purchase.
The signing of Endo marks a modest break from the Reds’ usual recruiting preference, which is to bring in players just before the end of their prime years.
Endo appears to have acknowledged that his advanced age would be an issue, as seen by his three-year-old joke with another Japanese international.
Whether he succeeds at Anfield is still up in the air, but the four-year contract offered to him in August shows that the team still had faith in him despite his advanced age.
