Liverpool shift focus from right-back signing amid squad overhaul plans
Liverpool have reportedly de-prioritised the signing of a new right-back this summer, with manager Arne Slot expected to utilise his current options in the position for the upcoming campaign. According to a report from The Athletic, the club no longer views the right-back spot as an area of immediate need, despite a season plagued by injuries and inconsistent form in that role.
The Reds had been linked with moves for Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries and Feyenoord's Lutsharel Geertruida as they sought to address a problematic area. The position has been a source of difficulty following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with injuries to primary options Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, and Joe Gomez forcing midfielders like Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones to fill in at times. Bradley's recent knee surgery, which will sideline him for a significant portion of next season, had initially intensified the need for reinforcements.
Reporter Gregg Evans stated that 'signing another right-back isn’t seen as a priority,' with the club's focus shifting to other areas of the squad deemed to require more urgent attention. This decision suggests the club believes Slot can manage with a combination of Frimpong, Gomez, and the recovering Bradley once he returns, rather than committing funds to a new signing in that position.
The shift in strategy comes amidst a broader squad overhaul anticipated at Anfield. According to sources including TEAMtalk, left-back has emerged as a greater concern with Andy Robertson's contract expiring, and RB Leipzig's David Raum is a reported target. The attack is also set for significant changes, with Mohamed Salah departing on a free transfer and Federico Chiesa expected to leave, making a winger like Leipzig's Yan Diomande a key objective, despite a potential fee exceeding €100 million.
Further potential exits could reshape the midfield, where Curtis Jones is reportedly open to a move for more playing time, and Alexis Mac Allister's future is not entirely certain. Any departures there would necessitate new signings. The striker position also presents a dilemma, with Hugo Ekitike ruled out until 2026 due to an Achilles injury, leaving Alexander Isak as the only recognised senior forward and requiring the club to assess its options.
With such extensive business required across multiple departments, the club's hierarchy appears to have calculated that resources are better allocated elsewhere for now, asking Slot to navigate the early part of the season with his existing right-back contingent. This approach indicates a calculated gamble, banking on the return to fitness of key players and the manager's ability to find solutions, while the transfer budget is directed towards more pressing positional crises.
