Despite buying Wataru Endo from Stuttgart for $21 million (£16 million/€19 million) last week, Liverpool could still use another number six.
Endo, as we explain here, would best function as a squad player, having been regarded by Jürgen Klopp as an effective replacement for James Milner.
With only 10 days until the transfer window closes, Reds fans have been combing the market for potential replacements.
Salih Ozcan of Borussia Dortmund is one name that hasn’t been mentioned in connection with the Reds but should be considered.
Ozcan, a former Germany under-21 Euros champion, now represents Turkey after switching allegiances, and has 11 senior caps to his name.
Following Dortmund’s activation of the $5.4 million (£4.3 million/€5 million) release clause in his Köln contract last summer, he would start 17 of the 31 Bundesliga matches for which he was available, earning him a spot on Kicker’s team of the season following his side’s excruciating close call in the title battle.
In the Champions League, he started seven of Dortmund’s eight games, including a 2-1 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad in September, which drew Pep Guardiola’s attention.
“They really defended the pockets with Bellingham and Ozcan,” the Spaniard stated after the game (via Daily Post).
Liverpool, of course, lost Fabinho to Saudi Pro League team Al-Ittihad last month, and Ozcan would be a great stylistic replacement.
He’s secure, if not very daring, in possession (he completed 87.7 percent of his passes last season but was below average for passes into the final third and progressive passes), but it’s off the ball where he really shines.
Ozcan is in the 94th percentile for interceptions per 90 minutes (1.7) and the 80th percentile for passes blocked (1.19), indicating a great understanding of the game and ability to close down the angles for the opposition. It’s no surprise, then, that Fabinho is the second-most similar player on FBRef.
Last season, Ozcan forged an effective partnership with ex-Liverpool target Jude Bellingham, in which he did the “donkey work,” as Bundesliga analyst Kevin Hatchard put it.
“He’s [Bellingham] enjoying his football so much that I sometimes have to call him back to his position,” the player said delicately (via The Athletic). But it’s a lot of joy to play with him and mop up after him.”
Fabinho’s genius at his height was that he gave leeway to the players in front of him with his almost robotic ability to mop up opposition assaults.
While the Reds may have lost $145 million (£115 million/€14 million) man Bellingham to Real Madrid after deciding that they needed to divide their resources in a more comprehensive midfield rebuild, they should still be able to capitalize on a strong rapport with Dortmund, based on Klopp’s legendary status at the club.
“We certainly sympathize with Liverpool,” Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer stated last year (via Metro). “We still have a good relationship with Jürgen and many others at Liverpool, so it’s also my preferred club in the EPL.” But don’t expect us to make any gifts to Liverpool.”
Even if Klopp brought two league titles to the club, there won’t be any form of discount for him, but you’d think that negotiations would start on a positive one.
Along with Fabinho, Ozcan bears striking resemblances to compatriot Nuri Sahin (via bundesliga.com), a forgettable loan signing for Liverpool in 2012/13 but a key member of Klopp’s triumphant Dortmund side in 2010/11. He may reproduce a portion of that successful blueprint by bringing him to Anfield.
Because it’s late in the window, the Reds should expect to pay a premium, but Ozcan is likely to be available for a reasonable price, making him worth a look.