When Wataru Endō signed Liverpool, his name is emerging from nowhere. Only a few outside the Bundesliga and Japanese football circles knew a lot about him. But those who must see him stop him a lot, and Jürgen Klopp clearly indicated it very early as soon as Endō crossed the doors of the AXA training center.
“This club has a tradition, not a real tradition, but we had one of the greatest legends of the LFC of my time, at least with James Milner,” Klopp said about Tribuna when the 21 million Dollars (16 million pounds sterling / € 19 million) men.
“He arrived when he, I think 29 years old was not that someone ever underestimated Milly. “But people said at the time: I’m not sure I wasn’t there when he arrived, he’s not a permanent player but he can play in different positions.
And I can tell you that without James Milner , there wouldn’t be success like last time.” Years would have passed. One of the best players and characters I’ve ever met in my life. Of course, Wataru may have a similar influence through d ‘other ways. I’m really glad he’s here.”
Since then, it has taken some time for the captain of the Japan national team to settle at Anfield. But slowly and surely he will adapt to the rhythm of his new surroundings and he is already feeling better and better with each appearance in the Liverpool shirt.
At that time, Endō had only been playing in Germany for a year, while Liverpool were Premier League champions and had swept everyone the year before. It was a fairly routine victory for Liverpool against the German side that day, but that didn’t stop Endō from watching Klopp’s eyes.
As reported by Japanese website Synchronous, Klopp was so impressed by Endo’s performance that he asked him how old Stuttgart’s number three, Takumi Minamino, was.