Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits a deal for Wataru Endo doesn't fit into their usual transfer model.
Klopp says owners FSG usually seek a player much younger.
"Yeah, you know it is not traditionally like that," said the Liverpool boss of Endo's arrival. "It is always a discussion that we have. The owners really want 200 games at 20 years old. That is pretty difficult.
"I did not need any kind of convincing. I know that the best time for a football player is from 27 to 33 in a normal career. It depends on injuries, of course. That is why I did not need to change anything and he was on my list from the beginning. Now he is here."
Klopp added: "He has something that Liverpool supporters will love, definitely. He is already used to red a little bit, so that's good, and when he puts that shirt on he will throw everything on the pitch and the people will love that, I know that.
"We had this with James Milner a little bit. Obviously a slightly different profile but could you respect James Milner more for playing 15 minutes at the end and just closing a game down?"
