Report: How Jurgen Klopp convinced FSG to sign ‘genius’ player for Liverpool this summer

Jurgen Klopp reportedly had to convince Liverpool’s FSG owners to sign Wataru Endo, with the German the main inspiration behind the deal.

According to the Athletic, the Anfield boss had to turn Liverpool’s owners heads into signing the midfielder, with FSG worried about spending so much on a 30-year-old player.

Endo was Liverpool’s most surprising signing of the entire summer as the VfB Stuttgart captain was targeted by the Reds after deals for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia fell through.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Signed for £16m, Endo’s addition was a surprise to many, though early signs have been good in the weeks since the Japanese international’s arrival to the Premier League.

The midfielder was last week hailed by Japanese media as a ‘genius’ after his performance against Germany for the Asian giants, with Endo likely to feature for Liverpool against Wolves this weekend.

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Indeed, whilst Endo doesn’t fit FSG’s business model for Liverpool, there’s no denying that the 30-year-old’s experience and leadership was needed for the Reds given the departure of Jordan Henderson.

Klopp will be desperate for Endo to succeed at Liverpool

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Klopp took a massive gamble in pushing for FSG to sign Endo for Liverpool this summer, and the Anfield coach will want the midfielder to succeed greatly in the years to come.

There’s no denying that the decision to sign Endo is a risky one given his age and relative obscureness in English football, though Klopp knows his stuff, and the Japanese star could flourish on Merseyside.

With a big run of games coming up, the 30-year-old will be given a fair shot at proving himself in the starting XI, and Endo could soon become a fan favourite at Liverpool if he performs.

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