Liverpool target’s father speaks out on ‘possible’ Anfield switch

A move to Liverpool from Benfica is certainly ‘possible’ for Orkun Kokcu, says the Turkey international’s father.

The midfielder only signed for the Portuguese side last year from Feyenoord, but is already being linked with a move to the Premier League, specifically to Anfield.

Kokcu came through the youth ranks at Feyenoord and starred in the first team under current Reds boss Arne Slot.

The Dutch boss had great faith in Kokcu, making him club captain at just 22 years old and it proved to be a great move with the team winning the Eredivisie that season.

The 23-year-old has been impressing since moving to Benfica, scoring four goals in nine games this season, and Slot is very interested in reuniting with him, something which the player’s father can see happening.

‘Arne is a good friend of ours. He has been through a lot of things with Orkun. Yes, why not? It’s possible,’ Kokcu Sr told ESPN NL.

Halis Kokcu added that a move is inevitable at some point as Benfica bought his son with the intention of making a profit on him in the future.

Benfica paid just over £20m for the Netherlands-born Turkey international, but he would cost a lot more than that if Liverpool want to sign him up.

‘The most important thing now is Orkun’s focus, that he does well with Benfica. But of course, players and trainers don’t have just one station, the staff knows that too,’ Halis said.

‘In modern football, clubs think about finances, about making a profit. Orkun is a player who has the potential to make a profit with the next step.

‘The fans and the club are also fine with that, of course. That was also the project. We’ll see where he ends up.’

The Benfica midfielder is not afraid to speak his mind, criticising manager Roger Schmidt last season for playing him out of position, with the German since leaving the club.

‘Schmidt ties me too much to all kinds of defensive tasks,’ he told De Telegraaf.

‘And that is not positive if you really want to get the most out of my qualities. I am the type of player who finds solutions in the area, who thinks very quickly and makes the team progress.

‘Even this season, all my statistics underline that. I can do much more for Benfica and that may be where part of my frustration lies. I was irritated and disappointed with that.’

The midfielder has already scored four in nine games this campaign under Bruno Lage after scoring seven in 43 over the last season.