Klopp on Kabak: “He’s a Big, Big Talent”

Today I went about my regular work day and then suffered through a two hour meeting after the day was done. In between all that, I would jump on my phone and try desperately to catch up on the news coming out of this particularly busy transfer deadline day. It’s been one of the more entertaining transfer deadline days in recent memory, especially one in January.

One of the names we’ve all had to learn how to spell today is Ozan Kabak, the center-back signed on loan with an option to buy from German club Schalke.

Jürgen Klopp had some kind things to say about his new recruit, including admitting that he got a recommendation for the player from David Wagner, his old friend and former Schalke manager.

“Yes, Dave was already very, very positive about him. He came very young to Germany and everybody was clear he was a massive talent,” Klopp told the official site at the end of a long day.

“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.”

Kabak fills a large, gaping hole in the defense, made even more profound with the news that Joel Matip is out injured for the rest of the season. I know we said to be more like Virgil, Joel, but not like that, pal. Not like that.