Liverpool are in dire need of reinforcements at the back. The Reds have been decimated by injuries and fans have been pleading for an arrival to plug the gap. It looks as though no business will be done in January, leaving us wondering what the plan is for the summer. Liverpool could be waiting to sign Ozan Kabak when Schalke are relegated.
Liverpool centre back options
The Reds have just one fit centre back in the senior side.
Joel Matip is now the last senior centre back standing and his fitness is arguably the least reliable of the bunch.
Earlier on in the season the club lost Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long term knee injuries.
Since then Fabinho has filled in at the back with Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips also stepping in when Matip hasn’t been fit.
Liverpool interest in Ozan Kabak
The Reds have been linked with dozens of defenders in recent weeks and months.
Since Virgil and JoGo were ruled out many fans expected a January signing.
Last month Fabrizio Romano claimed on the Here We Go podcast that Liverpool were in contact with Ozan Kabak, saying:
“Ozan Kabak is so appreciated by the [Liverpool] board. Let’s see what’s going on.
“At the moment there is no advanced negotiations. They’re in contact with his agents. They’re scouting the player, but there is nothing advanced yet.”
Schalke could go down
Liverpool could be waiting until the summer to move for Ozan Kabak.
The Reds waiting until the end of the season would likely mean a return to a transfer tactic they’ve used in the past.
Schalke are currently rock bottom of the German Bundesliga, 10 points from safety.
The plan could be to wait until Schalke are relegated so that Liverpool can bag Ozan Kabak for a discount.
The Reds have used this approach before. Gini Wijnaldum, Andy Robertson and Xherdan Shaqiri were all signed from relegated sides.
The club using this approach would go some way to explaining the lack of movement in January.
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