Why Liverpool should make a move for Ozan Kabak
According to Daily Mail, Liverpool have identified Schalke youngster Ozan Kabak to bolster their defensive unit in the summer.
Kabak, 20, progressed through the ranks of Galatasaray’s youth system and made just 18 appearances with the senior team before Stuttgart snapped him up in January 2019. Six months later, Schalke signed him and he has been in tremendous form for the German outfit despite the team not enduring a successful campaign.
His impressive performances also earned him a call-up to the Turkish national squad as he made his debut last November. He is one of the best young talents in Germany and has attracted the attention of several top clubs including Manchester City, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, as per the report.
After winning the Champions League title last season, Jurgen Klopp delivered the league title for Liverpool, their first in 30 years. And every player has contributed in some way or the other.
However, if they are to continue with their dominance, the manager should reinforce the squad with youngsters, with a view for the future. This could help them grow stronger in the upcoming campaigns.
Kabak – A future centre-back for Liverpool
Despite winning the league title, the defence has been a major concern for the manager. The Reds conceded just 21 goals in the first 30 league games but their defensive frailties were exposed after the restart. They conceded 14 goals in the last 8 games.
Virgil van Dijk has been an ever-present at the back for Liverpool but there has been no permanent partner for him. Joel Matip seemed to start well but since he got injured, he hasn’t been the same. Joe Gomez, despite featuring regularly, has been prone to errors and needs the experience to reach a higher level.
Moreover, Croatian ace Dejan Lovren has left Anfield to join Zenit, as per The Guardian. Thus, a centre-back is a must to keep their depth intact.
In that regard, Kabak would be a viable option for the future. He is just 20 and still has a lot of room for development. He has already shown glimpses of his abilities and could develop himself into a crucial player for the Reds in the future under Klopp’s guidance if he grows into a top player.
Read more
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Verdict
With Lovren gone and the lack of quality in central defence, Liverpool need to bring in a centre-back and strengthen the backline. And Kabak could provide them with some much-needed depth as he may not walk straight into the starting XI but with experience, he could slowly establish himself. Thus, they should manage to lure the Turkey international to Anfield this summer.
