Liverpool shift focus from right-back signing amid squad overhaul
Liverpool have deprioritised signing a new right-back this summer, according to The Athletic, with manager Arne Slot expected to utilise his current options in the position for the upcoming season. The club had explored moves for Dutch defenders Denzel Dumfries and Lutsharel Geertruida but have now shifted their focus to what are considered more pressing areas of the squad.
This decision comes despite a season of significant difficulty at right-back, described by sources as a position of 'greatest grief' for Slot. The long-term absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left the club last summer, was compounded by injuries to his replacements. Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, and Wataru Endo all spent considerable periods sidelined, forcing attacking midfielders like Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones to deputise. Bradley's recent knee surgery, which will rule him out for a sizeable portion of the 2026/27 campaign, had initially intensified the club's search for reinforcements.
However, reporter Gregg Evans noted that 'signing another right-back isn’t seen as a priority,' with the club's resources now directed elsewhere. The need for a new left-back is more acute, with Andy Robertson departing on a free transfer. TEAMtalk understands that RB Leipzig's David Raum is a target for that role. Furthermore, the attack requires significant investment, with Mohamed Salah leaving on a free transfer and Federico Chiesa expected to follow. Liverpool are again looking at RB Leipzig, with winger Yan Diomande their top target, though the German club's valuation now exceeds €100 million.
Potential upheaval extends to other departments. The future of goalkeeper Alisson Becker is uncertain after he reportedly agreed personal terms with Juventus, which would necessitate a replacement. In midfield, while Alexis Mac Allister's position is not entirely secure, Curtis Jones is said to be open to a move for more regular football, with Aston Villa reportedly interested. Up front, Hugo Ekitike's serious Achilles injury, which will keep him out until 2026, leaves Alexander Isak as the only recognised senior striker, presenting a major risk for the new season.
Given this extensive list of required signings across multiple positions, the club's hierarchy has decided that Slot must manage with his existing right-back contingent until Bradley returns to fitness. The decision underscores the scale of the rebuild facing Liverpool this summer, as they look to address what one source described as a 'longer' list of problem positions than stable ones following a challenging campaign.
