Virgil van Dijk’s "wonderful" gift to new Liverpool signing Ozan Kabak

Jurgen Klopp will certainly have more options to choose from at the back going forward after Liverpool completed deadline day moves for centre-backs Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak.

Davies joined on a £1.6m deal from Championship side Preston North End, while Kabak is on loan until the end of the season from Schalke, but could join permanently in the summer.

The swoops come amid the Reds' injury crisis in defence, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all out for the long-term.

And Kabak in particular will no doubt be hoping Van Dijk can return as soon as possible so he can play alongside a player he clearly idolises.

The 20-year-old named Van Dijk as his inspiration in an interview earlier this year, saying: "My personal aim is to become a top defender in maybe two or three years, like Virgil van Dijk.

"He's my idol, I really like him. I like his style and how he plays, so I can say he's my football idol."

And all the way back in 2018 he was clearly over the moon to receive a signed Van Dijk shirt while he was still at Turkish side Galatasaray.

Kabak posted a picture of himself holding up the gift on his Instagram, along with the caption: "Many thanks to @virgilvandijk, one of the best central defenders of the planet, for this wonderful gift."

The message from Van Dijk read: "To Ozan. All the best", along with his signature.

It is not clear exactly why Van Dijk sent the shirt, or what the occasion was for.

But Kabak was obviously delighted with the gesture, and will now be making his dream a reality by having Van Dijk as a teammate.

Kabak could be in line to make his debut against Brighton on Wednesday, or may have a true baptism on fire when Liverpool take on fellow title-challengers Manchester City on Sunday.

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