Liverpool remain interested in signing Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir from Trabzonspor and have been given a recommendation for the 23-year-old by one of their former players.
As reported by Turkish media outlet Takvim, as covered by Sporx, [via Sport Witness], ex-Reds defender Martin Skrtel delivered a positive verdict on the ‘keeper after the Anfield club approached him for his views on Cakir, with whom the Slovakian would be familiar from his time in Turkey with Fenerbahce and current side Istanbul Basaksehir.
Liverpool’s interest in the 23-year-old is a long-standing one, having sent scouts to watch him playing for Trazbonspor last September, as per the Daily Mail.
Why might Liverpool be interested in Ugurcan Cakir?
Cakir has been the first-choice goalkeeper for Turkish league leaders Trabzonspor this season, with 33 appearances in all competitions. He has conceded 39 goals in that time (1.18 per game) but has managed only four clean sheets (12.1% of games), with none in his last six outings despite his team going 11 league matches unbeaten. [via TransferMarkt]
He does, however, have strong figures for saves made, averaging 3.3 per game and repelling 76% of shots faced (as per SofaScore). His saves per game ratio is higher than that of Liverpool duo Alisson (2.3) and Adrian (1.6) and while the Brazilian has a better shot-stopping average (80%), Cakir outranks the Spaniard (64%) in that regard.
As noted by i News, the Turkish netminder has been “praised for his shot stopping, reach and technique” and, at 6 ft 3, he boasts a towering presence between the sticks. Also, in the match against Fenerbahce at which Liverpool scouts were present, he pulled off no fewer than eight saves in a 1-1 draw (as per i News).
Should Liverpool strongly consider buying Ugurcan Cakir?
Cakir’s shortage of clean sheets is a concern and he falls well behind Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper Alisson in this regard, with the Brazilian’s tally of 10 in the Premier League (from 20 games) the joint-second highest in the division. The 27-year-old has a far better concession rate, too, having been beaten only 17 times in 28 appearances this season (0.61 goals conceded per game).
His recent hip injury has led to Adrian deputising in goal and the past couple of weeks have not been kind to the Spaniard, who committed costly errors in defeats to Chelsea and Atletico Madrid which saw the Reds knocked out of two competitions this month. He has shipped 24 goals in 18 Liverpool games (1.33 per game) and kept only three clean sheets (12.5% of games). His shutout rate is marginally better than Cakir but the Trazbonspor man concedes fewer goals on average.
With Andy Lonergan due to leave the club once his contract expires in the summer, and Adrian performing erratically of late, Jurgen Klopp may feel compelled to enhance his goalkeeping options. Young Caoimhin Kelleher is already in place but he has zero Premier League experience and recently suffered a serious knee injury, so Klopp may want a fresher and more proven backup to Alisson.
Cakir could be a useful option if the Reds need another backup goalkeeper next season and seems like an upgrade on Adrian, although his goal concession and clean sheet returns do not inspire a huge degree of confidence.
Do you think Liverpool should heed Skrtel’s advice on Cakir or does he seem too erratic a goalkeeper to deputise for Alisson? Have your say by commenting below!
