Fabrizio Romano says he’s been told Jurgen Klopp really pushed to sign ‘perfect’ player for Liverpool

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Jurgen Klopp was key to Liverpool’s transfer business during the summer market.

With Jorg Schmadtke appointed as sporting director ahead of the window, Klopp was always going to take on more importance this time around.

And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, that’s exactly what the Liverpool boss did.

Writing on X today, Romano imparted a little more insight into the Reds surprise decision to sign Wataru Endo from Stuttgart in August.

“Liverpool were 100% convinced of Wataru Endo going to be an important player this season… and also a bargain signing,” says the journalist.

“Told Klopp made the difference as he approved Endo — considered ‘perfect, serious player’ and ‘top professional for cheap price’. Fee: €18m.”

Klopp convinced over Endo

After an early wobble in Red, the signs all now point to Klopp being absolutely bang on about Endo.

The Japan international has really found his feet over the festive period. Having started each of Liverpool’s last seven games, Endo has become a key figure recently.

And it’s just as well, too. Because owing to Alexis Mac Allister’s injury, the Reds don’t have another option in defensive midfield.

It’s been sink or swim for Endo and, pleasingly, the 30-year-old is now breezing through the choppy water.

That isn’t to say that Endo was still the absolute right option for Liverpool this summer. There’s no question that the Reds made a bit of a mess of addressing what was a key area.

Had someone like Moises Caicedo been targeted earlier, then he likely could have been signed. Despite his huge price-tag and struggles at Chelsea, the Ecuadorian would surely still have taken Liverpool up a level. Now and in the future.

Nevertheless, in the circumstances – which Liverpool largely created for themselves – Endo has been a superb addition.

A slight lack of quality has perhaps been papered over effectively with the Japanese’s propensity to work hard and train diligently. For now, it looks like a really smart piece of business. But for the future, questions over Endo do still remain.