‘One of the best’: Ozan Kabak now raves about one Liverpool man after leaving Anfield

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Former Liverpool defender Ozan Kabak has spoken highly of his time on Meryseyside.

Kabak arrived on-loan amid Liverpool’s infamous centre-back shortage of 2021. Although the Turkey international did relatively well across 13 appearances, the Reds didn’t retain him at the end of the season.

Nevertheless, Kabak has told the website of his now employers Hoffenheim that he learned so much from his time at Anfield. And especially from Jurgen Klopp.

“He’s [Klopp] one of the best coaches in the world,” raved the 23-year-old. “I learned a lot from Jurgen Klopp and had a great six months at Liverpool.”

Great to hear from a man who perhaps deserved slightly better than what he got at our club. You’re welcome back at Anfield anytime, Ozan!

No reds regret for Kabak

After the way his brief time at Liverpool ended, it’s nice to hear Kabak speak so highly of the club and specifically of Klopp.

Of course, it’s a privilege for any player to pull on the red of Liverpool, and no one is owed a career at Anfield.

In the end Klopp and his team clearly decided that Kabak wasn’t quite what they were looking for. Having identified Ibrahima Konate as the man to fix their centre-back issues, they have since been proven right in that.

Konate has largely excelled since joining in 2021, while Kabak struggled during a stint at Norwich City and is now mid-table in the Bundesliga with Hoffenhiem.

Nevertheless, the Turk should be commended for stepping up at a time Liverpool badly needed someone to.

Only 20 at the time, Kabak played his part in the Reds’ recovery from six home defeats on the bounce to ultimately finishing third.

Injury meant that Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams ended the season as Klopp’s preferred centre-back pairing. The academy pair will always be well thought of at the club for what they achieved that season, but Kabak deserves credit there, too.

Almost three years on, and that 2020/21 season without fans feels like a bad dream. But for Ozan, it will clearly always hold a special place in his heart.

If he ever returns to Anfield as an opposition player in his future career, he deserves a nice reception from the Kop. All the best, Ozan.