Wataru Endo on Caicedo transfer, Liverpool phone call & 'crazy' Anfield debut
Wataru Endo was watching from afar as Liverpool switched from one target to the next, their pursuit of a proven defensive midfielder becoming increasingly fraught as the clock ticked nearer to deadline day.
And all the while, one thought was going through the mind of the Japan international.
“I thought maybe they needed experienced midfielders or something like that, because (Jordan) Henderson had moved, and also Fabinho had moved to another club, so I thought there may be a chance," says Endo.
"To be honest I followed Liverpool's news that they wanted midfielders and they wanted a number six, but yeah - I thought (Moises) Caicedo had gone to Liverpool! So when he went to Chelsea I just thought 'maybe, maybe'."
Not that Endo was expecting the call from Jurgen Klopp last week given Liverpool's policy under Fenway Sports Group to sign younger players. Indeed, the 30-year-old - brought in for £16.25million from Stuttgart on Friday - is the third oldest player to have been signed for a fee by the current owners following Rickie Lambert in 2014 and Ragnar Klavan two years later.
“I understand top clubs want young talent, but you know I just try to (say to myself) 'this is the only chance you can move to Liverpool, because they always try to get younger players'," says Endo. "But every team can get younger players, right, so yeah I got that chance, and I intend to take it.
"I heard that Liverpool wanted me, and it was so quick, I had to decide so quickly, but actually I couldn't say no, because to play in the Premier League was always my dream. My agent called me, and it was a yes straight away that I wanted to come here. I decided immediately."
Endo's first opportunity at his new club came earlier than even he intended, brought on
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