Liverpool Adds Two Defenders After Losing Joel Matip for the Season

Joel Matip of Liverpool in September. Image by CosminIftode/Depositphotos

Liverpool was forced to have an active transfer deadline on Monday after tests revealed that their center back Joel Matip will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season with an ankle injury. With several other defenders already out, the Premier League powerhouse decided to make some last-minute additions.

The club confirmed on social media on Monday that they have acquired center back Ben Davies from Preston North End on permanent transfer and center back Ozan Kabak from Schalke 04 on loan.

Reportedly, Davies arrives on a $700K fee with Preston also being entitled to $1.35 million in add-ons depending on the player’s performances.

For Kabak, Liverpool will pay a $1.35 million loan fee and a potential $680K bonus. The English club will also have the opportunity to acquire the Turkish international on a permanent transfer in the summer for around $25 million.

Liverpool has been hit with significant injuries on the defensive end this season. Besides Matip, starting defender Virgil Van Dijk is also out for the season with an ACL injury, while backup Joe Gomez is expected to be on the sidelines for at least a couple of months as well. Manager Jurgen Klopp had to play midfielders Fabinho and John Henderson on defense because of this, but with the arrival of the new duo, things should return to normal for the Reds.

Ben Davies spent his entire career with North End, making his pro debut in 2013. The 25-year-old player, who also had lone stints with several low-tier clubs, has 145 appearances for the Championship side in all competitions.

Ozan Kabak, on the other hand, played for Galatasaray, Stuttgart, and Schalke 04 since debuting in 2018. A Turkish international since 2019, he’s so far made seven appearances for his country.

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