17 Aug 2023 07:58:26
Ed001 we have to get behind all are new players but Endo makes no sense what's so ever replacing Fabinho 29 with a 30 year old with no premier league experience. The end on this transfer window is turning shambolic. We have just missed out on 2 really promising young midfielders and we now look even more amateurish. I don't know who is making these decisions, but they do not look great.

{Ed001's Note - I disagree entirely. You have no idea what goes on, so you are basing your viewpoint on a lack of knowledge. It is best to just not judge in those circumstances. I like what I have heard about Endo. Everyone was saying we needed experience now we get it and everyone moans he is too old. There is no winning with this fanbase.}

1.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:12:12
Do we want signings to perform on the pitch or so that we can go on the United pages and say 'look at who we've signed? '

2.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:22:54
I like the sound of Endo too d and I love when a clubs own fans love him. That's a great sign when those that watch him week in week out love a player. Could well be a good one.

But the running of our transfer business this year has been very shoddy regardless if it all works out in the end.

3.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:25:42
I have not said that all summer Ed I have been all for Fabinho and Henderson to be sold. But this just looks like pure panic going from 19 and 21 year old players to a 30 year old. Come next season do we start this circus again looking to replace Endo. There are still loads of options out there and this must have been one of the last so I just don’t get it. Makes me wonder if we knew we had no chance with both Caicedo and Lavia so we made this to look like we where willing to spend.

4.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:26:18
Trust in jk all will come good at least we are not as bad as the devil's 11 down the road.

5.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:28:31
Ed’s I think it’s time to start filtering out the moaning and whining that is now constantly populating the site. The last month or so has been tedious reading to say the least. God knows how bad it is for you guys as you put up with more than what we see on the site.

6.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:30:45
And did we not sell Fabinho for 40m and are reportedly buying Endo for about 16m?

I wonder why people keep saying it makes no sense at all.

7.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:33:32
If this is the experience purchase/ versatile option then I have no complaints. We got good money for Fabs and age is just a number, look at Milner and Rooney as two examples of how conditioning makes a difference.

Personally I wanted a more experienced head there to not close the door for Bajectic, and I think this does it.

Now go get 1 more midfielder and a cb and let’s see what the season holds.

8.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:34:00
I’m not sure I buy into him being experienced just because he is 30. The highest level he’s ever played at is a relegation battle in a 2nd rate league, none of that is really relevant to us (I hope! ), there are 22 year olds with more experience

By all accounts he’s a good player, but for how much longer? £16 million on a stop gap with no sell-on value seems crazy, you might as well just get someone on loan. Speaking of which, hopefully we don’t make Schmadke’s stay permanent

I’m really trying to rationalise it but we now have 1 more non-HG spot and still need two players, so I’m baffled I’m afraid.

9.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:35:17
Totally agree. Whilst I’ve never heard of him, the reports coming out of Germany are that he’s a top player in that position and having played a lot at CB he can easily slot in there in when play breaks down and we have committed Trent or someone else in the middle. I’d assume we will also buy another, younger player in the DM position as a starter, but for someone to come in as back up, last 25 minutes of a match etc., he appears to be a very astute addition.

10.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:37:50
I have not seen him play, but to suggest his signing makes no sense because of his age I think is a bit of a weak argument. Based on what I have read/ heard about the player it sounds like he is a steady Eddie, dm, who wins lots of tackles and is good in the air, he can also play cb…. all things we are lacking? I think he could be a shrewd signing, and we need more options in those two positions.

Just because he is 30 does not mean he is over the hill, some players are late bloomers, and looking at his career trajectory, it implies that he might be one of those types.

I still think the club will look to sign a younger now long term dm.

People want a fancy name, but it is about how the individual will fit in our team - hendo, gini, Millie are great examples of this.
Let’s support the lad and the team, at least he wants to play for us!

11.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:39:17
What's this obsession with replacing Fabinho? We have a squad and pick a team that have roles to do the job.
That was the case before Fabinho and it will be after Fabinho.
Forget Fabinho.

12.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:49:13
I believe every club has something in the dna that clicks for it. and i believe that ours isn't to spend money so much but to find bargains. let's see. time will tell everything.

13.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:51:19
Unless a player costs over £50m they are wrote off instantly! Look at the guys stats from the German league and how he compares to the likes of Kimmich who lots of fans laud over ( plot twist Endo trumps him) . Judging by the constant flow of reports for other potential midfielders Endo will be a squad player and one who is ALWAYS available ( missed something crazy like 5 games over last 3 seasons) .

My only concern is that Endo signing leaves only one spot left for non homegrown players and we need minimum of 1 more midfielder in anddition to Endo ( Palinha, Doucoure, anmrabat, anndre) and a defender.

Could we see a bit for a defender like inacio ( age means he wouldn’t take up a non homegrown spot in squad) or possible a move for guehi from palace.

{Ed002's Note - Inacio would take up a non HG spot.}

14.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:57:35
Grino, I think you are looking at it the wrong way. You only made the Endo and Fab/ Hendo comparison based o n age alone. You are not looking at what Endo can do now compared to what Fab and Hendo could have done now. Hendo at 33 is not the player he was at 30. Fab is not even the player he once was at 26 let alone at 29. Peolple wanted Milner to stat at 38 yet people say at 30, Endo is too old? Not surprised, really.

Yuu say we missed out on 2 promising young players and that's your opinion and I can get with it. Others would as you, "Did we? "? There are tons of fans who didn't want either of those players due to price, lack of experience to warrant said prices and those who wanted a more senior presence at DM/ CB may think Endo is the ideal signing.

Just let the player come and show us what he can do before saying a signing of a player who is highly rated in the Bundesliga despite playing for a team like Stutgart does not make sense. Klavan didn't make sense at the start either, right? How did that pan out?

15.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:36:50
#1- almost everyone wanted Fabinho out after the performances of the last 1-2 years. #2- 40 million was a very good price for him, absolutely had to be taken. #3- we failed to get our first 2 targets; nobody knows that Endo was not our 3rd or 4th target, unless your name is Schmadtke, Hogan or Klopp. Nobody should be surprised if we get a player from the German League if you appoint (even a temporary) Director of Football.

My only irritant is the manner in which we have appeared with the failed Caicedo and Lavia bids. Not that we didn't get those players but how we have appeared. I'm sure bids for players both fail and succeed all the time. It must be routine during windows. It should have been handled differently. We quietly walked away from Tchouameni. We quietly walked away from Bellingham. I wish we could have done the same with these two. The EPL is a high stakes "big boys" game; both on and off the field. Appearances can be everything. That's just my opinion on it.

I think the club realizes this because right after the failed bids and Chelsea having pretty much bought the players, the story came out that it was Hogan leading the negotiations and not Schmadtke. Damage control?

I hope Endo proves everyone wrong, either as a starter or a backup.

16.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:02:11
He is yet to sign dotted lines and our fans are crying. Milner lasted more than Keita. Give this guy a chance. I haven't seen so was most of them here. Let's see how he performs in PL. The way Stuttgart fans react looks like it will work out very well.

17.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:04:16
Yeah, why sign an unknown in the UK player? After all, the Premier League is a step up.
C'mon, this looks like good business, A solid, mobile, aggressive midfielder with bags of top flight experience. It's not like he's been plying his trade in Latvia, Switzerland, or even Portugal. He's proven himself in a top league for a few season's now.
Don't compare his age with Fabs. Fabs has looked as mobile as I was at 40 for a couple of seasons now. I don't care how much he cost. Even if we do sign an Amrabaat, Gravenbach or whoever, this seems like a no brainer. shrewd bit of business.

18.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:05:10
Grino, we are after 2 mids and possibly a cb. So, bringing endo in as 1 of the mids, hopefully a player coming into his prime and a cb works well. Remember, we only play with 3 mids. Mac and sob + 1 would be the starting mids. We have jones Elliott baj thiago as 8's. Endo would be backup for dm. I think the club has had to reassess multiple times this window with targets going elsewhere it would be this scattergun approach some are making it out to be.

19.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:08:28
Only worry I have with Endo is his age. Some players perform extremely well into their 30s, others don't. Dunno which of these categories this lad falls into.

More worried about sniffing around Amrabat. This is a bloke who Fiorentina were expecting to mke a loss on before the World Cup. Now he's linked with ourselves and Man U. He had a very good World Cup, but that was playing in a defensive system. Plus it's international footie.

20.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:09:33
You’ve got to laugh. People fuming we haven’t spent nearly 170m on two players who don’t have 50 premier league games between them but balk at 20m for an experienced player that is potentially cover, has captained his country in a world cup and is captain of his club. I’m looking at this as potentially a very astute signing with more money for two more players.

21.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:16:17
Seems like a smart signing to replace some of the experience lost. He can play DM, CB and RB. He averages 11km per game, is quite quick and is in the 95th percentile for aerial duels. We needed energy. We have got it.

It is telling that Stuttgard fans are gutted to lose their captain and they describe him as a warrior. I have a feeling the crowd at Anfield will love it.

The curious part is that it using one of the remaining two non-HG spots so the need to move on one of Matip and Tsimikas grows, unless our other non-HG signings are u21 or HG. Or alternatively, we don't register Adrian, which would be harsh for him.

22.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:20:48
Endo will be good for us. His weaknesses though is average passing and pace. But otherwise he is a very experienced and solid DM who can play CB. A good utility and experienced player.

Im sure we will still get a top tier DM. Could be Luis, Doucoure? If we can add that one more LCB I did be happy. Even without, Endo and another top class DM and I think we did well this window.

23.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:21:48
Exactly. Everyone wants prime kante, but prime kante isn’t available, nor has a similar player been available this window. I think what it shows is the lack of top players available in the position. Not to say Caicedo or Lavia won't be, for example, but they would come with huge risk at the prices they’ve gone for.

I’d much rather a cheaper, sensible signing is made than to splurge a load of cash on someone they don’t consider 100% suitable as the the bedrock of the midfield for 4, 5, 6 years, then we can strike when the iron is hot next time.

Our club has consistently shown over the last few years that success has come not just from buying superstars at the top, but from unearthing gems at far more moderate prices than what has been available this summer. 100 million is not the new 50 million. 60 million is not all of a sudden the new 30 million. It feels like an anomaly this year with high demand for DMs and several clubs (and countries) with money to burn.

I think people should remember that the strategy used to get us to the position where fans think we should be buying nothing but top players is not by buying top players, or those deemed top players at the time.

The only thing embarrassing, shambolic or amateurish is people’s rush to judge the club and it’s dealings with little to no knowledge of what’s going on behind the scenes.

It all comes from a TL;DR (too long didn’t read) perspective where the important information is nearly all unavailable and a myriad of wild speculation becomes rife. It’s like trying to do a sudoku with only a couple of given digits. You just have to guess, which makes it pointless.

24.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:44:49
I'm with you, Grino, regards to being underwhelmed regards to Endo, though I believe we thought we were getting Caicedo.

I posted, some weeks back, about how excited I was regards to Mac and Szob and the coming season, but I was expecting a more high profile DM at that point. I find it hard to believe that Endo was near the top of Klopp's wishlist at the start of the summer, but we are where we are. Still can't wait to get there on Saturday, regardless of who we buy or don't buy.

25.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:51:42
On todays episode of things that never actually happened.

People wanted Milner to start at 38.

26.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:58:10
I posted the other day saying we need to sign a left sided CB, a DM and someone versatile who can also play DM, Endo is that versatile defensive minded midfielder for me.
He seems pretty decent from what I’m seeing, not a wild beater but a good squad option.
Or he could be a stop gap player until someone else comes along who we want at DM. Will have to see.
No idea why everyone’s throwing their toys out the pram on here though.

27.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 10:07:06
Thomas, battling relegation in a second rate league as you call it, can gain you much more experience than playing a handful of games for Brighton. Maybe the club has exhausted other avenues or even negotiated with a club to sign a young top player for next season with Endo coming in for a season or two, mentor the younger players and act as the level headed, experienced MF player we lost when we sold Hendo.

28.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 10:20:25
Disagree Stuie, I’d value a season over Brighton over 5 years playing for Stuttgart. Mac Allister is a much more experienced player than Endo.

29.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 10:36:01
I hope am wrong but to go from looking at up and coming stars to this looks like pure panic because of the mess they have made over the last 3/ 4 weeks.
But it looks like this seasons Arthur Melo, Ben Davies, Kabak, Balotelli, Rickie Lambert signing just hope we don’t follow it up with Arambat because he had a good World Cup.

30.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:19:27
Ed001 I agree, not all LFC fans are this ungrateful.

Endo is a great option, 20m is very cheap for an experienced captain for club and country.
He can play DM and CB, he's always available I hear he hasn't missed a game through injury in 3 seasons and has played every game possible (other than the odd suspension) .

Fans of Stuttgart saying he's a gem, he had the 4th highest ball recovery rate in Germany last year.

Seems like a perfect signing to help Bajcetic grow into the role long term plus we may still get another DM option.

Classic Liverpool signing under the radar that nobody saw coming - back to our old sneaky selves and I love it.

31.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:48:50
Therein lies part of the problem with this though Ed?
He's going to have to hit the ground running literally to win over a doubtful fan base.
Liverpool were built on signing unknown players, just not at the wrong end of the age scale.
Not to mention the players themselves who may be unfamiliar with him. The saying is that you can usually tell after one training session if he's going to make the grade.
Fingers and toes crossed for the guy, he can only do his best.
We'll see what happens in the remainder of the transfer window.
Two signings from the Bundesliga so far by the SD, I suppose that isn't a surprise. Nor would another perhaps.

32.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:51:15
Good luck today Ed. I have a feeling you're going to be playing Agony Aunt more than admin for the next few hours.

33.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 08:56:09
I completely agree Ed001. There has been lots of talk about embarrassment in the last few weeks (not that I ever blush when it comes to football! ) but it's the hypocrisy on here that is truly embarrassing as a Liverpool fan.

We currently have a midfield that has an average age of around 21, with it's oldest member (Gary's son) being 24.

We have lost midfielders with an average age of 31 (Milner, Hendo, Fab, Keita, Ox and Melo) .

I was one of the people worried about experience, and I fully expected us to get a senior pro to add experience. I thought the pro might be someone like Goretzka or Kimmich, and I was worried it might be Phillips as he has EPL experience too. However, I can see that those transfers would be using up £40-£60m+ of transfer funds, which doesn't make sense for players nearing the end of their careers (we're not Man Utd after all! ) .

I'd never heard of Endo until yesterday, but looking at fan forums, the Stuttgart fans seem to love him and are a) very sad that he's leaving (being their captain and one of their best players) but at the same time happy for him that he gets his shot at the big time. He seems to have the qualities we have all been calling out for in spades - commitment, stamina, tackling, dogged (he sounds a bit like a latter day Masch) and he really wants to play for us!

There have also been posts in the last few weeks saying "why can't we go and find the hidden gems like Brighton or Fulham have done? Why is our scouting team so bad? Why can't we take a gamble by buying from a foreign league rather than paying a premium for EPL experience? And we go and do that and the response is pretty toxic! Of course we're not going to know about the hidden gems, it's why they are hidden!

I'm sure that lots of the moaners on here go straight to Sofifa, see that his stats are only 79 and write him off! I mean, WTAF?!?!

It didn't work with Melo (at ALL! ) or indeed someone like Ricky Lambert, but it sure did work with Milly.

I'm more than happy to give this guy a chance, his profile seems to be perfect for us - dare I say a 'Klopp midfielder'.

A lot of folks think this will be it for us, I disagree. I think we will get another young midfielder on board this window - I now expect it to be a utility type midfielder like Gravenberch as I think the price of Doucoure is too high and I think we are keen on Andre coming in in January. Yes Gravenberch isn't a DM, but he CAN play there. And for DM (for the next few months) we will have Endo and Bajcetic, with Gravenberch there for cover.

I do still think we need a LCB, and Inacio seems to be favourite at the moment. I would like to get that done soon too.

Endo, Gravenberch and Inacio for less than the fee for Caicedo? Makes perfect sense for me.

Cue the superfans coming out and saying "you have no ambition", "we are Liverpool" etc etc

Yes, we are Liverpool. The same Liverpool that plucked Rushie from Chester, Keegan from Scunthorpe, Hyypia from Willem II and many other 'hidden gems'. Why not back ourselves to have done the same this time? The fans who actually DO know Endo seem to think we have got ourselves a great little player who can do a job for the next few seasons.

34.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 09:01:26
Ed001 - feels like a signing that in hindsight if we had got him after a Caicedo/ Lavia/ Doucoure everyone would say it’s shrewd business. Hopefully we can get another midfielder in whether it’s an out and out CDM like Doucoure or someone who can do both.

35.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 10:52:34
@thomas

Well yes but Mac Alister has won a world cup so that’s not really comparable to Lavia or even Caicedo is it?

36.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 11:17:54
Made this analogy before and I think it still fits. Some Liverpool fans on this forum are the people on the lifeboat complaining while others are paddling to safety.

37.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:37:33
I don’t think people are airing their frustrations because they haven’t heard of the player or he is relatively cheap, I think it’s more how comical our transfer window has played out, in the media anyway. I could get behind Endo if he was 25-27, but 30 with no premier league, taking a foreign spot, just screams complete desperation. And it’s still costing a fair bit of money. It’s nothing like a Milner or Gary Mac transfer at all. Other than he’s old. The other two had loads of premier league experience and were free or very cheap. My opinion anyway.

38.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 12:45:09
I'm still getting over seeing Rooney and conditioning in the same sentence, ???.

39.) 17 Aug 2023
17 Aug 2023 15:05:36
Fully agree, Zed. Just so you know for some fans on here (and I can mention names) and you have described it perfectly, nothing this club does will ever be good enuff for them. Absolutely nothing.