Liverpool have intensified their late transfer activity, aiming to strengthen their defensive options before the deadline.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the Reds are actively pursuing Lutsharel Geertruida, a player familiar to head coach Arne Slot from their time together at Feyenoord. Liverpool’s renewed interest comes amid injury issues, with Jeremie Frimpong sidelined and Conor Bradley out for the season, leaving gaps in the wide defensive areas.
Geertruida has quickly emerged as a top candidate due to his availability and tactical suitability. Club-to-club talks are already underway, with initial contacts made for a potential move before Monday’s deadline. The familiarity between Slot and Geertruida is seen as a key factor in Liverpool’s pursuit.
During their time at Feyenoord, Slot relied on Geertruida as a versatile defender, capable of playing at right-back, centre-back, or in hybrid roles depending on the system. Geertruida spent the first six years of his professional career at Feyenoord, three of them under Slot, developing into one of the Eredivisie’s most dependable defenders and playing a key role in Feyenoord’s 2022/23 title-winning campaign. His tactical awareness, composure on the ball, and ability to step into midfield align closely with Slot’s style of play.
This season, Geertruida has been on loan from RB Leipzig, with an option to buy, and has featured regularly for Sunderland, making 17 appearances so far. For Liverpool, this potential signing is driven as much by necessity as opportunity—they need a reliable, tactically intelligent defender who can integrate quickly, and Slot’s backing could make the deal straightforward to complete
