Liverpool’s Right-Back Search Falters as Geertruida Deal Stalls on Deadline Day
Liverpool’s late-window push to reinforce their defensive ranks has been dealt a blow, with the club’s move for Lutsharel Geertruida now considered highly unlikely. Speaking to Dave Davis on Media Matters for Anfield Index, Daily Mail journalist Lewis Steele confirmed that while initial talks had taken place, a number of logistical hurdles have seen the deal stall in the final 24 hours of the window.
Complexities Around Sunderland Loan Block Geertruida Transfer
Geertruida, currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, had emerged as a priority option after Liverpool sustained a series of defensive injuries. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are both ruled out for the season, while Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez have also faced fitness issues. In that context, Geertruida, a versatile defender with Champions League experience, was identified as an ideal short-term solution.
However, Steele described the proposed deal as “always a complicated deal” from the outset. “They needed Sunderland to find a replacement. Then they needed Sunderland to say, off you go, Geertruida. Then they needed to negotiate, cancel that loan with Sunderland and get some money. Then they needed to negotiate with Leipzig. And then he needed to come and do his medical and all that, all in forty-eight hours.”
As of deadline day, Steele believes the likelihood of a move is slim. “I’d be very surprised if it did come back on, but I wouldn’t completely, completely rule it out. But ninety five percent, no,” he said.
Geertruida Said Goodbye at Sunderland, But Deal Still Off
Despite the complications, Steele revealed that the deal came close, with suggestions that Geertruida himself was preparing for the move. “I heard from someone who’s close to a Sunderland player that he’d been going around saying his goodbyes,” Steele disclosed. He added, “He really wanted to move him. Why wouldn’t you?”
Yet, with Sunderland unable to secure a replacement, the club was reportedly unwilling to terminate the loan, despite the player’s interest in moving to Anfield.
Liverpool’s Defensive Depth Under Scrutiny
The failure to land Geertruida highlights Liverpool’s precarious situation in defence. “I came on this podcast in August and said Liverpool looked two men light,” Steele reminded listeners, underlining a long-standing gap in the squad that has only widened with recent injuries.
“Even if they were fit, all of them, I’d probably still be saying they’re a defender light,” he continued. “They’re definitely, definitely, definitely two defenders light as it stands now for me.”
Steele acknowledged that the Liverpool recruitment team believe there are limited options available, but argued that pushing through a short-term deal like Geertruida’s “could have been a good option or a stopgap for six months.”
As things stand, Liverpool are not expected to sign a right-back before the window closes. “I’m not expecting Liverpool to sign a right-back in the next seven or eight hours,” Steele concluded.
