Liverpool: Why is Reds' title defence unravelling?
Liverpool chief Michael Edwards tried a number of different avenues in the transfer market before eventually landing Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak. Jurgen Klopp and the Anfield hierarchy decided that Joel Matip's ankle injury at Tottenham meant they finally had to act to solve their defensive crisis.
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Injuries have disrupted his form and Umtiti has struggled to replicate the performance he turned in for France on their way to World Cup glory in 2018.
Umtiti is a player that has come close to moving to the Premier League on more than one occasion.
Manchester United have held an interest in his services before, while Arsenal wanted to sign him following the arrival of Unai Emery.
Instead, Liverpool landed Schalke's 20-year-old centre-back Kabak, who received glowing references from former manager David Wagner.
Liverpool managed to secure a deal for Ozan Kabak (Image: GETTY)
Wagner told Klopp that the Turk had the qualities to be a success story on Merseyside.
Liverpool had been tracking Kabak since October and managed to secure an initial £1m loan with an £18m option to buy.
He was watching on at Anfield as the Reds lost 1-0 to Brighton last night and could be part of the squad this weekend against Manchester City.
With their Premier League title hopes dangling by a thread, nothing other than a win will do for the Reds.