Klopp on New Signing Ben Davies: “A Big Opportunity for Both Sides”

Liverpool started the season with three senior centre halves. All three are now out, likely for the rest of the season, with injuries, leaving no choice but to move quickly to make signings before the transfer window closed.

Still, manager Jürgen Klopp says having to move quickly doesn’t mean panic or signing players for the sake of it. Even if those players are arriving from the Championship, as new centre half signing Ben Davies is.

“We had always to consider our situation and to think what can we do and what do we have to do,” Klopp said. “We were always looking, in every league in Europe probably, and when I saw Ben it was really interesting.

“We watched him in different games and saw that he was a really good footballer, a smart football player. I was a second division player myself and what we all dreamed of I think was playing in the first league.

“I know Ben did as well so now it’s a big opportunity for both sides. I’m a big believer in opportunities and taking chances and Ben sees it the same way so I’m really happy to have him and work together with him.”

As for when Davies and fellow new signing Ozan Kabak might debut, Klopp acknowledged it will likely be sooner than later due to the injury situation—but Wednesday against Brighton is probably too soon.

“If they had to start tomorrow that wouldn’t be too cool,” the Liverpool boss added. “So I think that we will give them a few more days.”