Wataru Endo has revealed that he thought Liverpool had signed Moises Caicedo before they pursued him as an alternative option.
The Japan captain reflected on a “crazy” week after making his debut for Jurgen Klopp’s side as a substitute in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
Endo, who completed a £16.2million move from Stuttgart on Friday, had been watching Liverpool’s pursuit of a holding midfielder with interest this summer, but assumed that search had ended when they agreed a £111m fee with Brighton for Caicedo. The Ecuador international subsequently opted to join Chelsea instead.
“To be honest I followed Liverpool’s news, that they wanted midfielders, they wanted a No 6,” Endo said.
“I thought Caicedo had gone to Liverpool! (Laughs). So when I heard he went to Chelsea I just thought ‘maybe’.
“I thought maybe they needed experienced midfielders or something like that, because (Jordan) Henderson and Fabinho had moved. I thought there might be a chance.
“I understand top clubs want young talent, but you know I just say to myself: ‘This is the only chance you can get to move to Liverpool because they usually try to get younger players.’ I got the chance and I intend to take it.”
The 30-year-old started the week preparing for Stuttgart’s Bundesliga opener against Bochum, but life was turned upside down by a call from his agent.
Asked when he was first aware that Liverpool wanted him, he said: “It was only three or four days ago. It happened so fast.
“My agent called me and I had to decide quickly. I couldn’t say no because to play in the Premier League was always my dream. I would always tell my agent I wanted to play in the Premier League for a top, top team, so here I am!
“I was getting ready to play in the Bundesliga. Now I’m playing here at Anfield in the Premier League in front of all these fans, it is crazy.
“I only had time for one training session so I just tried to get ready as best I could. I am an experienced player, so I needed to accept and deal with the situation.”
Endo has sought advice from former Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino and Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu, two of his international team-mates, about what to expect at Anfield.
“Yesterday I talked with Taki about how the team is,” he said. “And also Tomiyasu about how the Premier League is, things like that.”
Endo came off the bench shortly after the hour mark on Saturday following an eventful few minutes which saw Alexis Mac Allister sent off and Diogo Jota fire Liverpool into a 3-1 lead.
“It was amazing to play here — a great feeling, a great atmosphere, to warm up and hear the fans chanting my name. They made such a special atmosphere and I so happy to play at Anfield,” he added.
“The manager just told me to play like I did in the Bundesliga, and try to do it like I have always done it. Physically, it was more difficult than the Bundesliga. Premier League teams have some very strong players so yeah there is a big difference.
The tempo is faster too. Here I will have to play more one touch football for example. I need to change the mindset, and adapt to play as a No 6 here.
“I need to keep working hard. I need time to do it better and adapt to the physicality but for me it is a great step I think.”
(Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)
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