In a recent interview with Ajansspor (translated by talkSPORT), Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir’s agent, Erdi Kirkpinar revealed Liverpool’s interest in recruiting his client this summer and said, “Every team have scouts and some of them are following Ugurcan’s matches. Schalke haven’t made an official offer for him.
“I know Lille and Schalke are following him. Liverpool are also interested in him. Liverpool officials have talked with us, we had some contacts, but no official offer has come from them.”
Interest On Cakir: Is Klopp Looking For A New Back-up For Alisson?
Even though the Reds are yet to make a concrete offer for the Turkish keeper, their recent interest on Cakir hints towards Jurgen Klopp’s desire of recruiting a worthy back-up to Alisson Becker at Anfield. Both Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet face an uncertain future at Merseyside; thus, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Klopp decided to recruit a new goalie during the summer transfer window.
The Turkish SuperLig Keeper’s Record This Season
Cakir has enjoyed a solid season with Trabzonspor thus far after putting in a few commanding displays at the back for them during this campaign. He has conceded 25 goals and kept seven clean sheets in 23 matches across all competitions.
The 23-year-old has represented Turkey at various youth levels but is yet to feature for Şenol Güneş’ senior side so far in his international career. However, he has the potential to become a world-class shot-stopper and could play an integral role for his nation in the coming years.
What Will Cakir Bring To Anfield?
Cakir has brilliant reflexes and is a decent distributor of the ball. However, his handling inside his own penalty box and positioning at the back has a lot of room for improvement. At 23, the Turkish talent is about to embark upon the peak years of his career which Liverpool could look to benefit from over the next few years.
The acquisition of Cakir will undoubtedly bolster Klopp’s goalkeeping options at the red half of Merseyside. He will not only improve the Premier League runners-up’s squad depth but will also add more competition for Alisson Becker for a place in between the sticks at Anfield next season.
Is The Turkish Goalie The Right Choice For The Reds?
All in all, Cakir could be an ideal back-up to Liverpool’s Brazilian number one keeper, but he is far from ready to feature regularly in the English top-flight.
