The Athletic reported earlier this week that Liverpool are monitoring Aston Villa central defender Ezri Konsa. The defending Premier League champions are reportedly still in the market for a new defender despite signing two players for that position in the January transfer window.
Ben Davies joined from Preston North End, while Ozan Kabak made the loan move from Schalke on transfer deadline day. The 20-year-old central defender has already played for the Reds and has impressed some Liverpool fans, but the rumour about Konsa should be a worry for him.
Let’s look at the centre-backs that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will have when all the players are fit and available. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are the first-choice options for the German. Davies joined from Preston on a permanent contract, while Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams are good back-ups to have. Even Fabinho is an option at the back despite being a defensive midfielder by trade.
With so many options, Kabak clearly has his work cut out if he is to earn a permanent contract with Liverpool. Of all the centre-backs mentioned above, the 20-year-old is clearly the one who can be disposed of the most easily. After all, all Liverpool need to do about the Turkey international is…nothing. The Reds can just send the centre-back back to Schalke at the end of the season, and that would be the end of it.
Liverpool manager Klopp said on the club’s official website earlier this month that the youngster is “really a big, big talent”. Kabak should be encouraged by such lofty praise, but the 20-year-old should also be apprehensive about his future at Anfield. After all, if Liverpool were happy with the centre-backs they have, then why would they still be searching for another player for the same position?
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