Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have signed a ‘future captain’ who everyone thinks is a ‘massive talent’

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has waxed lyrical about new signing Ozan Kabak, describing him as a “big, big talent” with a “proper personality” who has been tipped to become the “future captain of a team”.

With Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and now Joel Matip ruled out long term, the reigning Premier League champions were forced into action in the latter stages of the January transfer window.

Two central defenders have arrived at Anfield – Ben Davies from Championship side Preston, and Schalke ace Kabak.

According to Sky Sports, Schalke will pocket an initial loan fee of £1million, rising to £1.5million in potential add-ons depending on appearances and Liverpool’s performance in the Champions League.

Liverpool will retain an option to buy in the summer worth an initial £18million, which could rise to £26.5million with add-ons, and will have until June to trigger that clause, added the report.

The Reds’ research on Kabak included a glowing reference from David Wagner, close friend of Klopp and the former Schalke manager, who worked with the centre-back at the club for more than a year.

And Klopp is delighted to have secured the services of a player he believes has the perfect mindset to help the Reds chase their ambitions in the remainder of 2020-21.

“Yes, Dave was already very, very positive about him,” he told the official Liverpool website. “He came very young to Germany and everybody was clear he was a massive talent.

“He is only 20 now. He plays in his second club [in Germany]; he is at Schalke and unfortunately they are in a bad position in the moment.

“For him, I think it’s a really good moment to make the move because, like each player in the world, you need a stable team around you and that’s what we can deliver.

“We deliver a stable team and you can play your position, you don’t have to be 20 with pretty much everything on the pitch and not allowed to make mistakes anymore.

“He’s really a big, big talent and we are really looking forward to working with him… Dave always said he will be a future captain of a team. He is a proper personality.”

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Kabak is a high-calibre young player who has been spoken of very highly, so credit to Michael Edwards for working his magic once again.

The likes of Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips have performed admirably during the defensive crisis, but they could do with being taken out of the front line and be allowed to continue developing.