Liverpool want Bundesliga man mountain! A good deal?

Jurgen Klopp is in search for a new defender in the transfer market with Virgil Van Dijk being ruled out for at least 6-7 months with an ACL injury

Liverpool's aspirations for the 2020-21 season had a major blow early into the season with their key defender Virgil van Dijk potentially ruling out for the whole season in the controversial Merseyside Derby against Everton that finished 2-2. 

Regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, van Dijk is simply irreplaceable in the Liverpool side and it was thanks to him that Jurgen Klopp has managed to turn the Liverpool side, that used to be defensively very much vulnerable, to a team that boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League for two back to back seasons. 

With Dejan Lovren leaving the club in the summer and van Dijk ruled out, Liverpool is not only short of quality at the back but are also lacking in numbers with only Joe Gomez and Joel Matip being the only two senior centre-backs in the side. 

And, both of them have a poor history with injuries and that is why we have already seen Fabinho deputising at the heart of the defence.

The Reds must do with the trio in defence at least until the transfer window reopens in January and it is widely reported that Jurgen Klopp has set his sights on Ozan Kabak of Schalke. 

Kabak has been courting interest from a number of major clubs in Europe in recent times and Liverpool is thought to be leading the queue for his signature in the summer. It was possibly due to the financial impact of coronavirus that the Reds chose not to spend a big sum on the Turkish international in the summer. 

But, now that they are short of options at the back, Kabak's name has once again made the headlines as the Reds are believed to be readying a £20 million bid for the 20-year-old in January. 

Schalke reportedly valued Kabak at £40 million before covid-19 ravaged the game's finances They are still looking to bank £30 million for the former Galatasaray man but Liverpool is preparing a deal that would see them pay an initial £20 million with further payments loaded into the deal. 

We have to wait and see whether the Bundesliga side will be convinced by Liverpool's offer but Kabak certainly looks like a player capable of solving Liverpool's defensive crisis. 

He is still just 20 years of age and is highly regarded in the Bundesliga. Also, he would find it easy to settle into the Liverpool system thanks to his style of play and the fact that he has played under the management of David Wagner, whose philosophy is a lot similar to that of Jurgen Klopp. 

Despite a frame of 6'1", Kabak is exceptional in the air which is evident from his average of 3 aerial duels won per game. Also, he excels when it comes to playing out of defence and composure on the ball. 

Kabak previously claimed that van Dijk is his idol and there are a lot of similarities in his game to the Dutchman and he will only get better with age and experience. 

If Liverpool can pull off this deal, they would get an excellent fourth option at the back and also someone who can lay the foundation of long-term success at Anfield.

Featured image credits- Metro