Liverpool begin negotiations to sign defender previously coached by Arne Slot

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Liverpool’s late push in the transfer window is gathering momentum, with the club intensifying efforts to strengthen their defensive ranks ahead of the deadline.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are actively negotiating a move for Lutsharel Geertruida, a defender well known to head coach Arne Slot from their successful time together at Feyenoord.

Liverpool’s renewed pursuit is largely driven by injury concerns. With Jeremie Frimpong currently unavailable and Conor Bradley sidelined for the remainder of the season, depth in the wide defensive areas has become an urgent issue. That situation has forced the club back into the market, with Geertruida quickly emerging as a prime target thanks to his availability and tactical fit.

Romano states that Liverpool have already opened club-to-club discussions, making initial contact over a potential late deal that could be wrapped up before Monday’s deadline. While talks are ongoing, Slot’s strong relationship with the player is thought to be a significant factor accelerating the move.

During his spell in Rotterdam, Slot relied heavily on Geertruida’s versatility, deploying him across right-back, centre-back, and hybrid defensive roles depending on tactical demands.

Geertruida spent six years in Feyenoord’s first team, three under Slot’s management, developing into one of the Eredivisie’s most dependable defenders. He played a key role in Feyenoord’s 2022/23 title-winning campaign, further cementing his reputation.

Slot’s familiarity with the Dutch defender is clear, with Geertruida’s tactical awareness, composure on the ball, and ability to step into midfield during build-up aligning closely with the manager’s footballing philosophy.

This season, however, has been more complex. Geertruida is currently on loan from RB Leipzig with an option to buy and has also featured regularly for Sunderland, making 17 appearances so far. From Liverpool’s standpoint, the potential signing is driven by both necessity and opportunity.

The Reds are seeking a reliable, tactically astute defender who can adapt quickly, and with Slot’s endorsement, a deal could prove relatively straightforward to complete.