By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

18th Aug, 2023 | 1:30pm

Sources: Klopp has new Liverpool priority deal after Endo signs

Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will turn their attention to signing a new left-sided centre-back after sealing a deal for Wataru Endo, sources have told Football Insider.

The 30-year-old has been announced as the Merseysiders’ third summer signing after they agreed a £15million fee with Stuttgart.

Liverpool are now keen to press ahead with a move for a new centre-back ahead of the 1 September transfer deadline.

They have, however, already lost ground in the pursuit of some of their top targets.

Netherlands international Micky van de Ven was a top target for the Reds but joined Tottenham earlier this month in a move which could be worth a reported £43million.

Meanwhile, Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio has been the subject of long-term interest from Liverpool.

But the Portugal international penned a fresh four-year contract at his boyhood club on Thursday (17 August) – effectively ending the chances of any potential move this summer.

Liverpool are keen to bolster their squad after finishing fifth last season and have already added Endo, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in big-money deals.

Current centre-backs Virgil van Dijk, 32, and Ibrahima Konate, 24, both struggled with injuries at times in the 2022-23 campaign.

Joel Matip and Joe Gomez deputized for the first-choice pair but attracted criticism for a string of mistake-laden performances.

Liverpool started the 2023-24 campaign with a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea on Sunday (13 August).

Klopp’s side face Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday (19 August).

In other news, Crystal Palace braced for Liverpool bid for star man.