Liverpool were among a multitude of clubs to send scouts to Russia this week to run their eye over Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.
Fanatik reported [via Sport Witness] that the Reds had dispatched scouts to the Europa League match involving his club Trabzonspor on Thursday, with the Turkish side playing away to FK Krasnodar.
According to Fanatik, Manchester United and Sevilla also had scouts at the game in the hope of assessing the 23-year-old, but their mission was a fruitless one as he was omitted from the Trabzonspor line-up in favour of Erce Kardesler.
Cakir has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time, with Turkish media outlet Star (via Sports Mole) reporting in September that the Reds had notified Trabzonspor of their interest in the goalkeeper.
The 23-year-old had played in all of his club’s games this season prior to Thursday’s Europa League defeat against Krasnodar, but he has conceded 24 goals in those 17 appearances and has still not managed to keep a clean sheet this term. [via TransferMarkt]
Cakir has made 3.8 saves per game in the Turkish Super Lig in 2019/20, with 1.7 saves per game in his team’s Europa League campaign. [via WhoScored]
He recently extended his contract with Trabzonspor (as per Sport Witness), his current deal not expiring until 2024, but if he was to jump ship to Liverpool, he would face plenty of competition for a starting berth at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp has Alisson, Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season for 2018/19, in his line-up, with the Brazilian keeping 28 clean sheets in 58 games for the Reds.
When he was out for two months with a calf injury earlier this season, Adrian deputised in goal, the Spaniard managing two shutouts in his 11 matches and pulling off the decisive save from Tammy Abraham in the UEFA Super Cup penalty shoot-out triumph against Chelsea.
Klopp has also given game-time to Caoimhin Kelleher in the Carabao Cup, with the Irishman keeping a clean sheet on his debut against MK Dons in September; while Loris Karius could return from his loan spell at Besiktas in January, according to Turkish media outlet Takvim.
Liverpool are already well stocked for dependable goalkeepers, which would make a move for Cakir seem rather unnecessary.
Also, the 23-year-old’s record at Trabzonspor this season does not make for great reading, so maybe the Anfield club can afford to direct their scouts elsewhere from now on.
Liverpool fans, do you think the club should continue to pursue Cakir or do you feel that there’s no need for him at Anfield? Join in the discussion by commenting below!
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