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Report: Liverpool asked about CB who models his game on John Stones before signing Kabak

Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
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Leverkusen's Burkinabe defender Edmond Tapsoba has been linked with Liverpool.
Photo by INA FASSBENDER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

According to Sport1, Liverpool enquired about Edmond Tapsoba before deciding to sign Ozan Kabak on transfer deadline day.

The Reds were in desperate need of a centre-half as the transfer window came to a close, and it looks as though they cast a rather wide net, asking Bayer Leverkusen about Tapsoba, before eventually signing Kabak from Schalke.

As we know, Liverpool didn’t manage to get this deal over the line, with Leverkusen reportedly asking for a fee of at least €50m (£44m) for his services.

It’s a great shame to see that Liverpool missed out on Tapsoba, after all, he looks to be a fantastic player, but unfortunately, players of that calibre don’t come cheap.

Perhaps the best indicator of his quality is the players he regards as his role models in the game.

He told The Athletic last year that he idolises Virgil van Dijk, while he also told the official Bundesliga website that he models his game on Per Mertesacker and John Stones.

Leverkusen's Burkinabe defender Edmond Tapsoba has been linked with Liverpool.
Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

“I would say [former Werder Bremen defender] Per Mertesacker, from Germany, is a player that I liked a lot when I was younger. When I started to grow older I liked John Stones a lot too. I watched all the videos on YouTube. I would say that’s what inspired me.”

Tapsoba has also spoken about Stones in such a way in an interview with The Athletic:

“John Stones, at Everton. I really enjoyed watching him, he made a huge impression on me. His manner on the ball, and the way he played with the ball. I loved that. I still go back to Stones when it comes to playing in a certain style.”

Kabak and Ben Davies came in while Tapsoba remains in Germany, but he is clearly a player on Liverpool’s radar, so don’t be too surprised if they decide to come back in for him down the line.

Leverkusen's Burkinabe defender Edmond Tapsoba has been linked with Liverpool.
Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images