Liverpool's right-back hunt continues as Geertruida move stalls

Richard Hughes confirmed that Liverpool have no contact with Lutsharel Geertruida after Arne Slot left the club, as the 2026‑27 summer transfer window has not opened yet, citing Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof’s X post. Blaauwhof wrote that Slot wanted the versatile defender in winter but the club did not follow through despite a personal agreement. Geertruida is now focusing on the World Cup and any transfer will come later. The Anfield side face a right-back crisis after injuries to Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai forced makeshift solutions in the 2025‑26 season. Liverpool previously linked Geertruida and Denzel Dumfries as replacements, with Sunderland holding a €20 million buy‑option on Geertruida’s loan. The club recently signed Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million, but his defensive abilities have been questioned. Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez remain available but are described as injury‑prone, while Marco Palestra has expressed interest in joining Liverpool. With Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate also set to leave, manager Andoni Iraola and director Richard Hughes must prioritise a new right‑back among multiple targets for the 2026‑27 season. The club must complete the signing before the 2026‑27 summer transfer window opens.