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Liverpool left with £95m burning question as Jurgen Klopp confirms final transfer plan
ANALYSIS: Liverpool's move for Wataru Endu will leave Jurgen Klopp wanting more from his final transfer wish of the summer.
It wasn't the deal any Liverpool fans were expecting to be announced this week but Wataru Endo has arrived to provide some much-needed cover in defensive midfield. Far from being a household name among British fans, Endo will be expected to play a squad role which leaves the question on who will be Liverpool's starting No 6.
Jurgen Klopp has already suggested that Liverpool aren't done in the transfer window for incomings and they've already shown their hand with their failed bid for Moises Caicedo. Liverpool shocked everyone when they came in with a £111million bid for the midfielder last week only to see their target join Chelsea.
It's the kind of money that Liverpool have tried not to spend in transfer windows in the past. Big money has been spent on Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, but their bid for Caicedo blows those deals out of the water.
It was the sort of money Liverpool would have needed to complete a deal for Jude Bellingham, although it was widely reported that his wages were the biggest problem for the Reds. Still, that money is clearly available to Klopp should the right target become available.
But that now brings into question Liverpool's transfer strategy this summer if owners FSG are willing to sanction a record sum. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson's surprise exits have clearly added to that fund and Endo's arrival barely scratches the surface.
Liverpool will pay £16m for the 30-year-old, leaving £95m available from the money they were prepared to pay for Caicedo. There are a host of midfield targets still being linked with Liverpool and that money should be more than enough to secure what they need.
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But leaving it so late in the window means Liverpool will need to pay a premium with clubs reluctant to lose their top stars with little time to find replacements. Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan and Jorg Schmadtke have been leading the club's transfer plans this summer, which started strong with Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboslai.
Endo is the kind of risk-free transfer Liverpool have made throughout Klopp's reign to help fill a requirement in the squad.
But Liverpool fans are now crying out for that blockbuster signing after missing out on Caicedo. And it's clear the funds are available to make a splash in the market one final time.