---
title: "Virals: Ozan Kabak faces late fitness test to make one final statement"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-ozan-kabak-faces-late-fitness-test-to-make-one-final-statement/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-05-22T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-22T07:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Ozan Kabak faces late fitness test to make one final statement

On-loan [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/21/virals-liverpool-reportedly-in-contention-for-kamaldeen-sulemana/) defender [Ozan Kabak](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/04/17/virals-ozan-kabak-compilation-highlights-defenders-potential/) reportedly faces a race against time to be fit for the final match of the season when the Reds look to seal a top-four place with victory over Crystal Palace.

The Turkish centre-back has missed the [last four matches](https://www.skysports.com/liverpool-results) with a muscle problem, leaving Nat Phillips and 20-year-old Rhys Williams to partner up successfully.

According to [Dominic King](https://twitter.com/DominicKing_DM), as cited by [Watch LFC](https://twitter.com/Watch_LFC/status/1395788247654141953) on Twitter, Kabak could return to the side at Anfield to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s defensive options.

> Twitter: Ozan Kabak faces a late fitness test to determine whether his groin injury has healed sufficiently to face Palace,… https://t.co/WzHLTFKZLP (@Watch\_LFC)

Important to note that the ‘conversation’ referred to is regarding the 21-year-old’s future on Merseyside – a topic that is [reportedly](https://twitter.com/TheAnfieldTalk/status/1395855054985482250) set to be discussed after Sunday’s all-important showdown.

Unsurprisingly, the defender himself has [spoken](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ozan-kabak-these-five-months-have-been-very-good-for-me-of-course-i-want-to-stay-at-liverpool-kwtj6hkmb) of his personal desire to remain a Red beyond this season.

Despite performing admirably for the most part since arriving on loan from Schalke on deadline day, speculation this week has suggested Liverpool [won’t activate](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9584079/Liverpool-NOT-sign-Ozan-Kabak-permanent-deal-summer-despite-having-18m-clause.html) the Turkish international’s £18million permanent fee.

In nine Premier League outings, Kabak has earned an average [Sofascore rating of 6.78](https://www.sofascore.com/player/ozan-kabak/857740) – meanwhile, fleeting UEFA Champions League [performances](https://www.sofascore.com/player/ozan-kabak/857740) earned a 7.00 rating.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Having struggled early on, perhaps understandably given the circumstances, more [recent displays](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/426400-ozan-kabak-has-done-really-well-long-may-it-continue) have more than earned Kabak a permanent Liverpool chance – especially at £18million.

One factor that may perturb the Reds is the potential arrival of Ibrahima Konate, a deal that looks to be [close](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-ibrahima-konate-transfer-leipzig-20630872) to completion.

Should Klopp turn down the opportunity to sign Kabak as expected, the Turkish ace will almost certainly find himself on the move this summer after [impressing](https://www.caughtoffside.com/2021/04/22/video-liverpool-fans-create-brilliant-new-song-for-kabak-after-super-league-drama/) on Merseyside.

Parent club Schalke were [relegated to the 2. Bundesliga](https://www.dw.com/en/schalke-relegated-from-the-bundesliga-the-inside-story-of-a-royal-case-of-the-blues/a-57184763-0#:~:text=Schalke%20have%20been%20relegated%20from%20the%20Bundesliga.&text=But%20now%2C%20for%20the%20first,which%20merely%20confirmed%20the%20inevitable.) recently, a level Kabak would perhaps consider his abilities to be way above.