Deadline set as Liverpool motives behind impending transfer surface

The timer has started on Liverpool to complete the £18m capture of Ozan Kabak after a recent report outlined their motives and ‘inclination’ regarding the transfer.

Liverpool have been besieged by injuries in the current campaign, particularly in their defensive ranks. Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were both ruled out for the season prior to Christmas. As such, the Reds made a pair of winter window splashes.

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Ben Davies signed on the dotted line from Preston North End, but is yet to make his Liverpool debut. Kabak, on the other hand, has become a regular in Jurgen Klopp’s backline alongside Nat Phillips.

The Turkish international, 21, agreed to join on loan from Bundesliga strugglers Schalke. The prospect of an £18m permanent move at the loan stint’s conclusion was inserted into the deal.

After a shaky start, Kabak has slowly begun to win favour at Anfield.

A recent report pointed towards Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards greenlighting the permanent acquisition.

Now, online transfer outlet Fussball Transfers (via Sport Witness) has shed further light on the situation.

They confirm the prior report by stating that the ‘inclination’ at Liverpool is to bring Kabak aboard.

However, the Reds will not have much time to mull the decision over once the season concludes. That is because a decision is said to be required by ‘the end of May at the latest.’

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate. Such a move would throw Kabak’s standing in the squad into question once their usual compliment of defenders return from injury.

Nevertheless, a Kabak swoop is deemed to be advantageous for two major reasons.

Firstly, experience in the English top flight has already been accrued, thereby lessening the transition period new players endure.

Additionally, the smaller fee he will command compared to Konate, for example, is duly noted.

Klopp reveals Liverpool advantage in top four hunt

Meanwhile, Klopp believes Liverpool’s experience of competing for the top honours in the game in recent times can make the difference as they battle the likes of Chelsea and West Ham for a top-four place.

After being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday, the Reds’ sole mission for the remaining weeks of the season is clear – to get back into the top four and secure another campaign in Europe’s top competition.

Having lifted the European Cup in 2019 and the Premier League last season – a year after taking Manchester City to the wire in the title race – Klopp’s players are no strangers to having the pressure on down the stretch, and the manager expects that to count.

“It is absolutely important,” he said. “We have kind of seven finals if you want. We will see.

“We’ll only know at the end how many points we will need to make it happen. But as I have said before, we should not waste time or points and really go for it. That is the situation we are in.”

READ MORE: Souness accuses Klopp favourite of disrupting Liverpool squad amid exit talk