Liverpool have launched a final push to strengthen their defence before the transfer deadline, with Lutsharel Geertruida emerging as a serious target as Arne Slot looks to address mounting injuries at the back.
The Netherlands international is currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, but talks have reportedly taken place over a move to Anfield, reuniting Geertruida with the coach who helped shape his rise at Feyenoord.
Slot’s need for reinforcements has been clear for weeks. Liverpool narrowly missed out on Marc Guehi last summer, and the situation has since worsened following injuries to Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, and Giovanni Leoni. The club also opted against selling Andy Robertson to Tottenham after recognising their limited depth.
With the clock ticking, Slot admitted after the 4-1 win over Newcastle that Liverpool are still active in the market. The focus, he stressed, is on strengthening rather than risking further imbalance with just hours of the window remaining.
Geertruida’s profile fits Liverpool’s immediate needs. According to Fabrizio Romano, discussions have opened for the versatile defender, while Ben Jacobs reports that Liverpool are exploring the option of taking over his loan until the end of the season. The opportunity is said to have arisen only in recent days.
The backdrop to the move is familiar territory for Slot. Geertruida came through the Feyenoord academy and became a key figure under the Dutch coach, playing a central role in their run to the 2022 Europa Conference League final and the 2022-23 Eredivisie title.
That shared history matters now. Slot values Geertruida’s tactical intelligence and flexibility, qualities that allow him to operate at right back, centre back, or in midfield, a crucial asset for a Liverpool side juggling domestic and European demands.
The current setting adds another layer of intrigue. Geertruida is midway through a loan spell at Sunderland, where he is due to feature against Burnley on Monday night, just an hour after the transfer deadline passes. The uncertainty has placed the defender at the centre of deadline day attention.
On the pitch, Liverpool’s recent performances have underlined both their attacking strength and defensive vulnerability. While goals have flowed, the absence of key defenders has forced Slot into makeshift solutions and heightened the urgency behind this late move.
Geertruida’s career path suggests he is ready for the step. After seven seasons with Feyenoord’s senior side, he joined RB Leipzig in 2024, making 35 appearances across competitions before being made available for loan this season.
Late drama now surrounds his immediate future. Sunderland await clarity, Liverpool weigh their options, and Slot pushes for a familiar solution to a pressing problem.
Whether Geertruida finishes the season on Wearside or pulls on a Liverpool shirt, the outcome will shape Liverpool’s defensive outlook for the run-in and offer an early insight into how Slot intends to mould his squad under pressure.
