Jurgen Klopp says it is difficult for Liverpool to compete with fellow big-spending Premier League clubs and Saudi Arabia’s trolley-dash – but the German privately believes the Reds have pulled off one of the bargains of the transfer window in signing Japan captain Wataru Endo.
Liverpool confirmed the transfer of the Stuttgart midfielder on Friday subject to international clearance for around £16.2million on a contract that runs until 2027.
Endo becomes their third signing of the summer and solves a problem in the thin holding midfield department.
It comes after the Reds failed in public pursuits of big-money Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who both went to Chelsea, and Klopp says Liverpool will not use money as an excuse this season despite it being ‘difficult’ to compete with the financial muscle of other clubs.
‘Everything is more difficult and there are reasons,’ said Klopp ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Bournemouth at Anfield, a repeat of a match they won 9-0 last season.
Jurgen Klopp (left) feels Liverpool have unearthed a bargain by signing Wataru Endo (right)
Chelsea have splashed out £173million on Romeo Lavia (left) and Moises Caicedo (right), two players that Klopp and Liverpool made bids to bring to Anfield during this summer window
‘Some clubs just have a different way to do it and no-one understands 100 per cent how it works.
‘As a normal club, it’s really difficult to catch up with them. You just watch what they’re doing, it’s fine, I don’t blame anybody, it’s just how it is. Then there’s Saudi Arabia on top of that not making things any easier.
‘Our (English transfer) window ends at the end of August and the window there (in Saudi) is still open so if a player is not happy they will come again with an even bigger offer.
‘Three weeks ago no one would have thought that Neymar would be over there.
‘We don’t have the right to say it’s not allowed, but the endless money causes a problem. It would be cool if someone could find a solution – regulation, I don’t know. Yes, it became more difficult. We just can’t just spend and then have a look (at money) later.’
But Klopp is delighted with the signing of Endo, and received texts from his friends in Germany waxing lyrical about the signing of the 30-year-old.
He and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke were sold on Endo based on his versatility, reliable injury record and leadership traits.
Endo got a warm embrace from his new manager as he got a tour of his new surroundings
Endo impressed Liverpool boss Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke for his versatility, reliable injury record and leadership traits
Liverpool now have five players who captain their national team, also Andy Robertson, Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil Van Dijk.
‘It is a transfer that is not in the public eye. It’s not “Oh my God!”,’ said Klopp. ‘But wait. He has something that Liverpool supporters will love.’
The Reds still have funds to re-enter the transfer market, though now they are not as desperate for a holding midfielder.
‘When there are the right players we will have a look,’ added Klopp.
‘We are definitely still in the market watching and seeing what is going on and what we can do.’
