Liverpool Eye Michael Kayode and Kevin Schade in £115m Brentford Double Swoop

Liverpool’s recruitment line looks straightforward enough here. Find a right-back who can defend first, attack second, and add a forward who gives the front line more pace, more width and more options. According to TEAMtalk, Brentford pair Michael Kayode and Kevin Schade are firmly in the frame, with the combined cost potentially reaching £115m.

That is a serious number, though the logic is easy to follow. Liverpool have a problem at right-back and they know it. Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid in 2025, Jeremie Frimpong has not convinced, and Conor Bradley’s long-term knee injury leaves Andoni Iraola short in a position that matters heavily in his system.

Michael Kayode tops Liverpool watchlist

Kayode is the more intriguing part of the report. He came through at Juventus before properly establishing himself at Fiorentina, then moved to Brentford in January 2025 on loan. That switch was later turned into a permanent transfer for €17.5million, £15m. Since then, he has done what smart clubs notice quickly, he has adapted, improved and looked comfortable in the Premier League.

The report states Liverpool are showing the strongest interest among the clubs tracking him, with the Italy international now “at the top of their watchlist”. That matters, because watchlists are long and meaningful interest tends to narrow quickly. There are no negotiations yet, and the suggestion is that any genuine move may wait until 2027, though long-range planning is exactly what top clubs should be doing.

Kayode sounds like the profile Liverpool need. Defensively solid, physically reliable, capable on the ball, and versatile enough to cover both full-back positions. Brentford have also made use of his long throw, which sounds minor until you remember how many Premier League matches are decided by territory, second balls and awkward moments in the box.

There is a price attached. His contract runs until June 2032, which means Brentford are under no pressure at all. The report claims they would want “at least €60-65m” for him, which translates to roughly £51m to £55m. Expensive, yes. Surprising, no.

Kevin Schade offers another forward option

Schade is a different discussion, though tied to the same wider plan. Liverpool are already reported to be strong contenders for the Germany international, with Brentford trying to protect themselves by opening contract talks with his camp. If those talks go nowhere, Liverpool could move.

Brentford reportedly value Schade at £60m. Again, this is high, but he is 24, has started the season well and has already shown he can operate across the forward line. Liverpool officials reportedly view him as someone capable of pushing for a starting role in multiple positions, which is exactly the kind of versatility elite squads chase.

Put simply, this is not about collecting names. It is about fixing clear issues in the squad. Kayode addresses structure at full-back. Schade adds depth and competition in attack. Together, they would represent a major statement of intent from Iraola and the recruitment team.

Brentford transfer stance looks predictable

Brentford are not a charity and they are not in the business of selling cheaply when they hold the contractual cards. Kayode and Schade are both at good ages, both Premier League-proven, and both improving. That is why the overall fee climbs towards £115m.

Whether Liverpool go that high is another matter. But the broader point remains, these are the sort of signings that make sense when viewed through need rather than hype. Liverpool do not require a fantasy shopping list. They require the right players in the right roles. On the evidence of this report, Kayode and Schade fit that description.

Our View

From a Liverpool perspective, this report lands in a pretty obvious place. The right-back issue has been sitting there for a while and pretending otherwise would be nonsense. Frimpong has not nailed it, Bradley’s injury situation leaves uncertainty, and Iraola needs that side of the pitch to function properly if his team are going to play with any balance.

Kayode feels like the more important name here. A proper defender at full-back sounds refreshing, especially one who can still carry the ball and contribute going forward. Liverpool have spent years building attacks through that area, so if the profile changes, it has to be for someone who gives the side control as well as energy. He sounds like that type.

Schade is interesting too, though perhaps less urgent. Squad depth in attack always matters, and if Liverpool believe he can cover multiple roles and genuinely compete, then fair enough. But if the budget is stretching towards £115m, most supporters will probably say the full-back solution has to be the priority.

The other obvious point is Brentford know exactly what they are doing. They will ask for top money because they can. That means Liverpool have to be sure, not hopeful. If they are convinced Kayode is the answer, then this is the sort of deal worth pursuing hard. If not, walking away is fine too. Big fees only make sense when the fit is clear. In this case, at least with Kayode, it looks clear enough.