Liverpool have been given a renewed opportunity to sign Dutch defender Lutsharel Geertruida after Sunderland decided against activating their option to buy the player, according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg. Geertruida currently plays for RB Leipzig but spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Sunderland.
Geertruida previously worked with Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, at Feyenoord, where he played a key role in winning the Eredivisie title in 2022-23 and the Dutch Cup the following season. A move to Anfield was considered in January, with personal terms reportedly agreed, but Sunderland’s inability to secure a replacement prevented the transfer from materializing.
The 25-year-old is now expected to return to Leipzig, but a permanent departure is ‘considered likely’ with clubs from across Europe’s top five leagues showing interest. Leipzig are expected to seek around £20 million for the versatile player, who can play at both right-back and centre-back, and whose contract with the German club runs for another three years.
Liverpool have been experiencing issues at right-back this season, with Jeremie Frimpong struggling with injuries and Conor Bradley undergoing surgery. Slot has also experimented with Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai in the position, seemingly unconvinced by Frimpong’s defensive capabilities. Geertruida represents a more defensively solid option, and Slot is known to trust the player from their time together in the Netherlands.
Transfermarkt reports that Liverpool were leading a five-club battle for Geertruida as of March 26th. The club is also expected to pursue reinforcements in other areas, including a replacement for Mohamed Salah, with several forwards from Premier League rivals reportedly under consideration by the club’s ownership group, FSG. Newcastle United are also reportedly in contention for a midfield target previously linked with Liverpool.
