I thought I had lost out on Liverpool transfer - I wasn't their ideal signing

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.

Endo was only signed, joining in a shock £16.2m switch from VfB Stuttgart, after the Reds had missed out on Caicedo

Having always dreamed of playing in the Premier League, Endo admits he had a hunch last summer that he could join Liverpool

However, he conceded that as soon as he heard of the Reds’ interest in Caicedo, he was resigned to his dream being left unfulfilled

Endo

“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,”

“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