Liverpool made Samuel Umtiti transfer call before opting for Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak - 7M sport

Liverpool made Samuel Umtiti transfer call before opting for Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak



Posted Sunday, February 07, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Liverpool brought in some much-needed defensive reinforcements on deadline day earlier this week.

Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies weren't Liverpool's first choices in the January transfer window, according to reports. News of Joel Matip's season-ending injury last week appeared to spark Liverpool's transfer officials into action to bring in cover before the January transfer window closed.

Jurgen Klopp made it clear that he was hopeful of seeing at least one player arrive at the club.

And by the close of the window, Liverpool had agreed deals for both Kabak and Davies.

The latter arrived in a £2million deal from Preston, while Kabak joined on a short-term loan deal with an option to buy in the summer.

Both players fill a gaping hole in Liverpool's team and it could give Klopp the opportunity to push Jordan Henderson or Fabinho back into midfield.

Liverpool made Samuel Umtiti transfer call before opting for Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak
Samuel Umtiti was of interest to Liverpool (Image: GETTY)

But it appears as though neither Kabak or Davies were originally who Liverpool wanted to get in the transfer window.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Reds had made contact with Samuel Umtiti's representatives to sound out a possible move.

The Frenchman has struggled with injuries over the past 18 months, restricting him to just 13 league starts in the last two seasons.

However, it is claimed that Umtiti rejected the advances of Liverpool in favour of becoming a regular once again at the Nou Camp.

The Reds swiftly moved on to their other targets with Marseille's Duje Caleta-Car said to be of interest.

The Ligue 1 side weren't willing to let the centre-back leave though, forcing Liverpool to go after deals for Davies and Kabak.

Davies was named on the bench in Liverpool's disappointing 1-0 defeat to Brighton earlier this week.

It remains to be seen whether either player will be given their debut this weekend when Klopp's side host Manchester City at Anfield.


Liverpool made Samuel Umtiti transfer call before opting for Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak
Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak joined on deadline day (Image: GETTY)

But the Liverpool boss was given a huge boost this week with Fabinho, Alisson and Sadio Mane all returning to training.

Fabinho has missed Liverpool's last three games due to a muscle injury while Mane and Alisson were unavailable against Brighton.

Klopp will be hoping to have all three back and available to face current league leaders City, with Liverpool currently seven points adrift of their rivals.

Defeat could leave Liverpool with too big of a gap to close with City also having a game in hand.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.