LIVERPOOL have reportedly opened talks with Schalke over a cut-price move for Ozan Kabak after Virgil van Dijk's injury.
The Reds skipper suffered a horror ACL rupture after Jordan Pickford's wild challenge in the Merseyside derby.
Van Dijk required surgery on his knee which is set to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.
The Kop outfit must make do with Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho as the centre-back options until the transfer window reopens in January.
But Jurgen Klopp is already working on a plan to bring in cover.
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Reports earlier this week suggested Liverpool had identified Kabak as a target.
And according to the Mirror, negotiations are underway between the Anfield club and Schalke.
The Bundesliga side rated Kabak at around £40million before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
They are still hopeful of getting at least £30m for their defender, who is under contract until 2024, but Liverpool want to pay £20m up front plus add-ons.
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Kabak, 20, came through the youth ranks at Galatasaray before moving to Stuttgart and then on to Schalke a year ago in a £13.6m transfer.
He already has six goals in just 65 senior club appearances and four full Turkey caps to his name.
Fabinho filled in at the back in the wins over Ajax – shining in Amsterdam – and Sheffield United, although he did give a penalty away against the Blades.
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