Liverpool's Late-WInter Shield: Gerritroida in Last-Minute Talks to Bolster the Backline
1 February 2026
Liverpool Set for Last-Minute Defensive Reinforcement
The Reds race against time to fix their defense crisis.
Liverpool are pushing to sign a new defender in the dying moments of this winter transfer window.
Fabrizio Romano, the transfer expert, posted on X: "Exclusive... Liverpool have entered talks to sign Lutchariel Gerritroida as a new defender".
The transfer expert added: "Liverpool had initial talks with Sunderland, where Arne Slot has known the player well from their time at Feyenoord".
Romano concluded: "Liverpool are now in direct negotiations with Sunderland to seal the deal".
The Dutch defender Lutchariel Gerritroida is currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig until the end of the season.
Arne Slot, the current Liverpool manager, had coached Gerritroida at Feyenoord, explaining why he wants to bring him in to bolster the Reds' defense.
Liverpool have been dealing with a defensive crisis, aggravated by injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley.
Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League with 39 points.
Punchline: If this deal lands, the backline will be so tight that even the ball will need a passcode to get through. Punchline 2: And if not, at least the calendar will finally know what a clean sheet feels like.
