Former Liverpool winger Jermain Pennant believes that Wataru Endo will not last long at Anfield before the club look for a long-term replacement.
Endo arrived from Stuttgart as a surprise signing, with the 30-year-old midfielder not matching the normal profile of a Jurgen Klopp signing.
Liverpool have lost Fabinho, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson over the summer, with Alexis Mac Aliister and Dominik Szoboszlai arriving as the highest-profile players to play in the middle.
Speaking to bitcoincasinos.com, Pennant believes that Endo will only be used as a short-term option at Anfield.
Pennant said: “Every time he’s played for Liverpool so far they’ve had a man sent off, so you can’t really judge his performances and read into it too much. It’s still early for him and he needs a bit of time, but he does look like he can get round the pitch and he’s steady on the ball.
"I’d say he’s better on the ball and more energetic than Fabinho, so as of now, he looks okay.
“Having said that, would I like to see a higher pedigree of player in that midfield? Yes – and maybe a younger player as well. I’m sure Liverpool know that – Endo is probably a stop-gap for this season, so I’m expecting Liverpool will dip into the market and get more of a marquee defensive midfielder.
“One name I really like is Khéphren Thuram from Nice. I’d really like to see him come to Liverpool. Another one is Manu Koné from Borussia Mönchengladbach. Either of those would be really good signings for Liverpool, so Jurgen Klopp, if you read this, start looking at those two players please!”