Liverpool's pursuit of Wataru Endo after transfer setback

Wataru Endo will be honored by a guard of honor at Stamford Bridge, a gesture from the club whose actions indirectly led to his transfer to Liverpool.

In 2023, Liverpool was in the midst of a midfield overhaul. Endo, then the captain of Stuttgart, was not their initial target due to their preference for young, promising players with Premier League experience. However, circumstances led to Endo joining Liverpool as a key player.

After a challenging season, Liverpool sought to strengthen their midfield. Their pursuit of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia was unsuccessful, leading them to negotiate with Lavia's club, Southampton. Despite failed bids, Liverpool suddenly made a substantial offer for Caicedo, who eventually chose Chelsea over Liverpool. Lavia also rejected Liverpool's offer, opting to join Chelsea as well.

Facing setbacks in their transfer plans, Liverpool secured a deal for Endo from Stuttgart. Despite not being a high-profile signing, Endo quickly proved his worth on the field, becoming a valuable asset to Liverpool's success.

Endo's impact on Liverpool's performance has been significant, especially in crucial moments where he helped secure wins. Despite limited playing time, his contributions have not gone unnoticed, earning him a cult-hero status among Liverpool fans.

As Endo prepares to be honored as a Premier League champion, the players who turned down Liverpool in the past will witness his success. Despite their own achievements, they may reflect on what could have been if they had chosen differently.