The return of a familiar face to the pitch in Germany this weekend is sure to warm the hearts of many Liverpool fans – even if he’s no longer wearing red.
Former Liverpool defender Ozan Kabak made his long-awaited comeback for TSG Hoffenheim in their 3–0 Bundesliga win over FC St. Pauli, marking his first competitive appearance since suffering a cruciate ligament tear in June 2024.
According to Hoffenheim’s official website, the 25-year-old Turkish international came on in the 86th minute, completing a remarkable recovery after spending over a year sidelined. The club called it a “perfect Sunday,” with Kabak’s late appearance adding to an impressive victory that included goals from Bazoumana Toure, Andrej Kramaric, and Grischa Promel.
Kabak’s injury came at a crucial stage of his career, when he tore his ACL playing for Turkey in a friendly against Italy, just days before the European Championship.
For Liverpool supporters, his name recalls the challenging 2020/21 season, when a defensive injury crisis forced Jürgen Klopp to rely on emergency signings. Kabak arrived on loan from Schalke, making 13 appearances and playing a key role in stabilising the backline during a turbulent campaign.
Liverpool were even offered the chance to sign him permanently for £8.5 million, but declined despite Schalke’s financial struggles at the time. Since then, the Reds have moved in other directions, with links to defenders such as Diogo Leite as the squad continues to evolve.
Kabak rebuilt his career in Germany with Hoffenheim before his unfortunate injury setback. His recent return marks a major personal milestone – and few will deny he deserves it.
It’s always uplifting to see a former Red back on the pitch, and after everything Kabak has endured, Sunday’s brief appearance will have felt like a victory all on its own.
Leave a Reply