Liverpool centre-back Ozan Kabak could be handed his debut against Manchester City this evening, according to the Times‘ journalist Jonathan Northcroft.
The 20-year-old wasn’t even in the squad for the 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Wednesday, following his deadline day move from Schalke, but it seems manager Jurgen Klopp will chuck him in at the deep end tonight.
It could be a daunting experience for Kabak, considering the threat posed by City’s attack, but supporters on Twitter are hopeful that the Turkish international will be named in the eleven:
Yessir ???
— leo (@leonardoprime_) February 7, 2021
Want that to happen
— Macpherson (@Macpher97478775) February 7, 2021
He trained with the first team for the first time on Thursday. Let’s see what happens. If Klopp thinks he’s ready he’ll play
— ETERNAL KLOPPTIMIST 19 (@mickclfc) February 7, 2021
Get the 2 new signings in and get fab and hendo back in the engine room nothing but a win today.
— JAY MARTIN. BIKE.LIFE. (@JayMart17650852) February 7, 2021
Hopefully he does, and it’s next to Fab. Need Hendo destroying midfield today
— Joey (@joeyxnino) February 7, 2021
Start him
— The_Savvy_Vhuramai? (@Blessed_Dat_Guy) February 7, 2021
This shouldn’t be a question anymore
— Ariev (ADES-VECTOR) (@14n_riev) February 7, 2021
???? pic.twitter.com/vReT3zARJw
— demetozdemir261 ?? ??⭐️⭐️????✨✨ (@demetozdemir262) February 7, 2021
Good
— Shegz (@dammishegz) February 7, 2021
It is a bit of a dilemma for Klopp. On the one hand, picking Nat Phillips with either Fabinho or Jordan Henderson at centre-back is hardly ideal. However, giving a young defender his debut in such a big game comes with its own pitfalls.
Selecting Ben Davies may be a more sensible move considering he, at least, is used to the physicality and tempo of English football but Kabak’s greater height may be needed if he is replacing Phillips.
