During this summer transfer window, Liverpool experienced a large exodus in its midfield: in addition to the departures at the end of their respective contracts of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Reds also saw Fabinho (Al- Ittihad) and Jordan Henderson (Al-Ittifaq) join Saudi Arabia, and Arthur Melo return to Italy after a complicated loan in England. To compensate for these numerous departures in the midfield, the Mersey club had only recruited the Argentinian international Alexis MacAllister (24 years old, 42 M€), World champion with Argentina last fall, and the midfielder Hungarian attacking Dominik Szoboszlai (22 years old, €70m).
However, the LFC, deprived of the Champions League this season after its fifth place in the Premier League last season – synonymous with the Europa League, had other hitches during this transfer window, as evidenced by Moises Caicedo. Indeed, the residents of Anfield tried to hijack the transfer of the Ecuadorian midfielder from Brighton to Chelsea, before seeing the main interested party respect his word and join the Blues. The Romeo Lavia case also failed. The Belgian midfielder, although desired by Jurgen Klopp, has also signed up with Chelsea. So the Reds turned to the Bundesliga and quite a surprising player.
A new reinforcement in midfield
Indeed, Liverpool announced on Friday the arrival of Japanese international midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart: “Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Wataru Endo from VfB Stuttgart on a long-term contract, subject to international clearance and application for a work permit. The Japan international will become the Reds’ third signing this summer after finalizing personal terms and successfully passing a medical.can we read in the press release.
The 30-year-old midfielder is an experienced element since he wore the captain’s armband of the German squad in addition to also being in selection. Able to play in central defense and in midfield, Endo is best known for being one of the best defensive midfielders in the German league as he finished last season with the most aerial duels won (219) and the most defensive clearances (175). A reinforcement that will therefore do good in the balance of the middle of the Reds.
