Liverpool assessing last-minute defensive deal – Ornstei
Liverpool have been linked with a late move for Lutsharel Geertruida as Arne Slot looks to bolster an injury-hit defence before the transfer window closes.
The update surfaced shortly after Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Newcastle United at Anfield, with focus quickly shifting from goals and milestones to the club’s shortage of available defenders. Writing for The Athletic, David Ornstein reports that the Reds are considering a loan deal for the 25-year-old Netherlands international, who is currently spending the season on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig.
Ornstein states that Liverpool are in discussions over a temporary move for Geertruida, with talks centred on potentially terminating his existing loan agreement and allowing a switch to Anfield before the deadline.
Why Geertruida suits Liverpool’s immediate needs
Geertruida appeals to Liverpool not only because he is accessible at this stage of the window, but because of his versatility. The Dutch defender is capable of operating at right-back, centre-back, or in a defensive midfield role — a valuable trait for a squad currently short of options in multiple areas.
Slot is well acquainted with Geertruida from their time together at Feyenoord, where the defender developed into a dependable and tactically adaptable figure. That familiarity strengthens the rationale behind the move, particularly after Slot made it clear that Liverpool intend to strengthen rather than downsize before the window shuts.
Speaking after the win over Newcastle, the Liverpool head coach said the club were focused on adding to the squad in the final days of the window, stressing there was no intention to weaken the group.
From a statistical standpoint, Geertruida has featured 17 times in the Premier League for Sunderland this season, starting 10 matches and averaging 58 minutes per appearance. He has helped keep two clean sheets, averages 1.2 tackles per game, and wins more than half of his ground and aerial duels — highlighting a profile built on reliability rather than eye-catching numbers.
His distribution is also steady, with an 86 per cent pass completion rate that reflects an ability to retain possession and play safely from the back.
A familiar name on Liverpool’s shortlist
This is not the first time Geertruida has been mentioned in connection with Liverpool. Reports in December 2024 suggested he was among a group of right-back options being considered as a potential successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
That earlier interest framed him as a longer-term profile match rather than a reactive option, making a short-term loan now feel like a natural progression rather than a sudden change in direction.
What has shifted is the level of urgency. With Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Joe Gomez all unavailable, Liverpool’s defensive depth has been stretched thinner than anticipated at this point in the campaign.
A loan deal would represent a pragmatic solution, allowing Liverpool to add experience and flexibility without committing to a permanent fee in a notoriously inflated January market.
Geertruida’s existing Premier League experience with Sunderland also reduces the need for adaptation, even if the demands at Anfield would be considerably higher.
Liverpool currently sit fifth in the table, just one point behind Chelsea, and remain firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification. This potential move appears to be driven by necessity rather than ambition.
Regardless of whether a deal materialises, the link itself underlines Slot’s post-Newcastle message: Liverpool are not looking to weaken their squad, but they are prepared to use the final days of the window to safeguard it.
