In a recent report, The Telegraph has mentioned that Liverpool will have to include Divock Origi as a makeweight for Schakle defender Ozan Kabak. It is understood the German club will ask the Reds to include Origi in part-exchange if they decide to make an offer for Kabak during the January transfer window (via The Telegraph).
Kabak’s Mounting Struggles At Gelsenkirchen This Season
The Turkish centre-back has endured a difficult start to this campaign as he has been a part of the Schalke defence that has shipped in 36 goals in 13 league matches thus far. Kabak has taken part in eight matches for his current employers this term, picking up three yellow cards and one red card in the Bundesliga.
Despite his team’s misfortunes in terms of getting results on the field, the 20-year-old has done well to average 0.9 tackles, 1.0 interceptions, 3.3 clearances, 1.0 shots and 1.6 dribbles per game in the German top-flight this season. He has even been very tidy with his ball-distribution after completing 88% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
Kabak might welcome a chance to join a top club like Liverpool in January as it will give him an ideal platform to grow into a world-class defender under the expert stewardship of Jurgen Klopp in the coming years.
What Will The Turkish Youngster Add To Jurgen Klopp’s Side?
Kabak is proficient at using his strong 1.86m frame to overpower the opposition and win his fair share of 50-50 duels in the air. He has a great leap in him that helps him to make a few important clearances for his side at the back.
The six-time Turkish international can time his tackles well to come away with the ball and is usually quite careful when interchanging possession out from defence. However, he has a poor disciplinary record at Schalke recently, so the jury is still out on whether he has got what it takes to succeed in the Premier League where he will be tested both physically and psychologically week in week out.
Should The Reds Give Up Origi To Land Kabak Next Month?
Origi is currently surplus to requirements at Liverpool as he has fallen behind the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino in the Anfield pecking order. Hence, Klopp should consider letting him go if he is serious about acquiring Kabak’s services this winter.
At the moment, the Reds are in dire need to bolster their defensive department in the long-term injury absence of Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez. Kabak could prove to be a shrewd signing for the Merseyside giants in the long-run as he has got the potential to grow into a class act in defence under the guidance of Klopp.
