Wataru Endo has admitted he thought he had missed out on a dream transfer to Liverpool when the Reds moved for Moises Caicedo last summer.
“If I were to get a chance (to play in England), I had a feeling I would be headed to Liverpool because Liverpool had many outbound players,” he told he Japanese streaming service Abema.
“Henderson, Fabinho, both midfielders. I thought Caicedo would sign (for Liverpool). I remember seeing in the news that a deal was close (with Liverpool). I thought that I would lose out, and then he went to Chelsea.
“In terms of the fee, it (Endo's transfer) was a fraction. I hear that (Endo is a bargain) is what they say (in the media).
“A player like me, I would only get an opportunity in a situation like this. The ideal situation would be to get a hold of young, talented players, but not every club can sign their ideal target.
“So the plan B would be to sign an older, experienced player, someone who can be immediately effective. Liverpool were looking for that in signing me. It feels like I've been waiting for this chance my whole life.”
After a slow start at Anfield, the 31-year-old has now established himself as a firm fan-favourite with Kopites.
He has made 33 appearances for the club to date, and won his first trophy with Liverpool when getting the better of Caicedo and Chelsea in last month’s League Cup final.
