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With the club holding talks with his representatives through much of the first half of 2023, such a move was a long time coming.

Meanwhile, after being left frustrated in their pursuits of a new holding midfielder after the unexpected exits of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia, missing out on the likes of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Andre Trindade, Liverpool eventually settled on Wataru Endo from VfB Stuttgart.

Admittedly, onlookers were left bemused by the arrival of the then 30-year-old Japan captain who had initially been in a 2.



But despite such experience, the Germany international still took time to adapt at both Newcastle and Liverpool, with early injuries not helping his cause.

And having seen plenty of Endo in the Bundesliga prior to his own move to Liverpool, Hamann has not been surprised by his success at Anfield, believing missing out on Caicedo has proven to be a blessing in disguise.

“No, he hasn’t surprised me,” Hamann, courtesy of Free Bets, exclusively told the ECHO.

He’s a class act.”

While Endo might not have surprised Hamann, Szoboszlai has - and in more ways than one.

He’s had a few injuries as well in the second half of the season, and the jury is out regarding how good a buy he actually was.”

As a former Bayern Munich player himself, Hamann saw Gravenberch struggle in Bavaria last season before making the move to Anfield.

“He has to set up goals and he has to score goals, because there have been times at Liverpool this season where they have needed a goal from somewhere.

“It’s his first season, I hope he gets another season, but I think next season he has got to do better than he did this one.”

Hamann’s honest assessments of Liverpool have earned the wrath of Klopp in the past, with the two exchanging heated words through the media on more than one occasion.

But the former Reds midfielder insists he holds no hard feelings with the soon-to-be former Liverpool manager, and hopes to hold clear the air talks with Klopp the next time he sees him in person.

“I never had a problem with him,” he insisted.
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