DEAL AGREEMENT: Liverpool wonderkid gets surprise transfer boost, as Liverpool finalliz the signing of Stuttgart super star...

Liverpool is on the verge of signing Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, with the transfer of the experienced Japan captain good news for one man in particular

Over the past few weeks, Jürgen Klopp has been presented with a puzzle to solve on Merseyside. The Liverpool boss controversially allowed both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to join clubs in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, leaving the Reds without a holding midfielder ahead of the new campaign.

Indeed, Alexis Mac Allister was forced to start in the deep-lying role against Chelsea over the weekend, even though the South American is more of a creative technician, with plenty of experience playing as a number 10. Liverpool has been in desperate need of a defensive-minded midfielder since Fabinho’s departure, but nobody has been signed to fill the void.

Plays were made for both Roméo Lavia and Moisés Caicedo, but the duo instead opted to join Chelsea this summer, leaving the Reds with a limited pool of options ahead of the closure of the window at the end of the month. On Wednesday night, though, news emerged surrounding Wataru Endo, who looks destined to be Klopp’s go-to solution

The Bundesliga midfielder is the captain of Stuttgart and Japan, which captures his self-sacrificing nature, and he is always available for selection having missed just three Bundesliga games over the past three campaigns. Endo is famous in Germany for his commitment to the cause, his ability to run forever, and his industrious work rate.

He certainly isn’t a marquee transfer who will become a superstar, but he could evolve into a cult hero of sorts at Anfield. Endo is a true ball-winning midfielder who has the qualities to present his more attacking teammates with a platform to create and score goals in the final third.

He is also a very experienced presence, now aged 30. The Stuttgart skipper has plenty of minutes in his legs, which is more than can be said for a certain Liverpool wonderkid in Stefan Bajčetić, who has all of the necessary potential to become a real heir to Fabinho’s throne on Merseyside, but he’s still a teenager.

Bajčetić made a real impression on the pitch for Liverpool last term. At one stage, he managed to demote Fabinho to a place on the bench. The Spaniard demonstrated a desire to regain the ball and challenge opponents in a proactive manner, and when in possession, he showcased his technical skill and his composure.

“It’s now really helpful we have Stefan, the guy who wants to win challenges and protects everyone and plays football,” said Klopp earlier this year. “He’s not worried about anything. He just plays football and does that well. He’s made massive steps with us. Very talented and eager to improve each and every game.

With Bajčetić still aged 18, he could replace Fabinho in the near future, but just not yet. The Reds youngster needs more time behind the scenes to evolve, especially considering he’s only recently returned from quite a serious injury setback suffered earlier in the campaign. Overall, Klopp might already have his Fabinho successor within his ranks.

That would explain why Endo’s transfer to Liverpool makes sense, as although the Japanese midfielder is now 30 years old, his arrival would buy time for Bajčetić, who has the skill set to potentially take his place in the coming years. The Reds academy graduate could become a truly great player but right now, he is still learning the ropes.

Expecting him to immediately replace Fabinho could be too much too soon, which is why it makes sense for Endo to help him shoulder the workload before his inevitable rise in a red shirt.