Klopp believes Kabak can step in at back as Fabinho joins injury list

JURGEN KLOPP insists Ozan Kabak is ready to answer an SOS after Fabinho added his name to Liverpool’s list of absent defenders. The Brazil midfielder has been redeployed as an emergency centre-back following injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip but has suffered ‘a small muscle injury’ and is out of today’s trip to Leicester.

Turkey international Kabak, 20, arrived on loan on deadline day from Schalke and is set to make his debut at the King Power Stadium. Former Celtic target Ben Davies, another new signing from Preston, is also pushing to be included. ‘They are calm people, both Ben and Ozan,’ said Klopp. ‘They are willing to learn. Great attitude. They really throw themselves into everything ahead of them, which is what a defender should do. They are making big steps in adapting to the way we play.

‘We have still a clear way to defend, which is important. If both of them would be on the pitch then there are still nine players used to what we have done before. ‘It’s all good. Now we have to make a decision. We have to change again because of Fab and we will see which solution we take.’ Fabinho had just returned from a hamstring injury for last Sunday’s 4-1 defeat by Manchester City. But a relapse means he faces a race to be ready for the first leg of Tuesday’s last-16 Champions League game with RB Leipzig and the Merseyside derby at Anfield a week today.

Klopp added he is ‘not sure’ if Fabinho will be able to figure in a potentially pivotal week.

TV: Leicester v Liverpool is on BT Sport 1 from 11.30am (KO: 12.30pm).

By ADRIAN KAJUMBA Conflicting view: Mourinho (right) doubts Bale’s fitness TOTTENHAM boss Jose Mourinho has taken a fresh swipe at superstar Gareth Bale. The Spurs manager yesterday insisted that he had been forced to disclose the reasons behind Bale’s absence from the 5-4 midweek FA Cup defeat at Everton after an Instagram post from the Welshman gave the impression he was fit and ready to play. As Tottenham were travelling up to Merseyside, Bale told his 43.6million followers that he had enjoyed a ‘good session’. That prompted Mourinho to explain in detail why the on-loan Real Madrid star had not been in his squad at Goodison Park. Mourinho has been largely cagey when addressing the Bale situation, which has become increasingly problematic as the season has developed and his struggle for game time has continued following his arrival from Spain. Mourinho said: ‘There was a contradiction between the (social media) post and the reality. ‘Since the beginning of the season, in relation to everything, I tried to be very private and to keep everything indoors but I felt I needed to address the situation. ‘Probably the post was not even his responsibility, I don’t know, but the post was showing that training session was great and was totally wrong. ‘He was not feeling good, he asked for the scan, had the scan, the scan didn’t show an injury but his feelings were still there and we can never go against the player’s feelings — they are much more important than all of us so he was not ready for the game, it is as simple as that.’ As for the current situation with Bale ahead of today’s trip to Premier League leaders Manchester City, Mourinho added: ‘If he’s ready, he is selected.’

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