Liverpool Need a Big Summer Rebuild In Defence, But How Could That Look?
With the question marks surrounding the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Anfield now put to bed, the will-he-or-won’t-he questions can stop, and the focus can turn to the future and what Liverpool will do to cover their loss. However, the right-back position isn’t the only part of Liverpool’s back line that we may see change this summer in a rebuild.
Questions have been asked of Arne Slot’s strength in depth in the central defensive area, as well as Andy Robertson’s form at left-back and whether or not Kostas Tsimikas is a capable enough deputy.
The goalkeeping department is also set for change, with Caoimhín Kelleher more than likely to leave with the impending arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili already confirmed.
Let’s take a look at where Liverpool could do with improving and how they will look to do that going into the 2025/26 season as defending Premier League champions.
Spoilt for Choice: The Goalkeepers
It’s safe to say that Liverpool have been spoilt with their options between the sticks for some time now. Brazilian number one Alisson Becker has enjoyed an incredible time with the Reds; many people believe him to have surpassed Peter Schmeichel as the league’s greatest ever goalkeeper.
Irish goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher has also played an important part in helping the Reds to Premier League glory this season, deputising for the Brazilian on ten occasions in the league, as well as playing in the cup competitions.
There’s little doubt that Alisson is Arne Slot’s preferred choice, which likely means that Kelleher will look to leave this summer in search of being a No. 1 goalkeeper. A title the Cork man certainly deserves to hold.
With the impending arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili on the horizon, as Liverpool prepare for life without Alisson, it could be that the Georgian is brought in to compete with Alisson while Kelleher goes on to a new chapter. It’s also worth mentioning that Liverpool also have Vítězslav Jaroš, the Czech Republic international goalkeeper, in their ranks, with the shot stopper having also made a brief, yet important contribution to the Reds’ title win.
Alisson and Mamardashvili are likely to be Arne Slot’s number one and two going into 2025/26.
All Good Things Come to an End: Left-Back
There’s little doubt that Scotland captain Andy Robertson has left his mark on the Kop. Signed for a bargain £8m from Hull City in 2017, Robertson has literally done everything in his eight years at Anfield. However, his form this season has been questioned at times.
Robertson has played in some pretty intense and massive games for both club and country over the last couple of seasons; he is one of the first names on both team sheets, and that seems to be catching up with him. Some on the Kop don’t necessarily want Robertson to be sold; more, they would like to see his competition for a place in the starting eleven upgraded, maybe even someone who could take a lot of the responsibility from the Scotsman, allowing him to be rested more frequently.
That may be harsh on Kostas Tsimikas, who in his own right has written his name into Liverpool’s history, providing the assist for Virgil Van Dijk in the 2024 Carabao Cup final and netting the winning penalty in the 2022 FA Cup final shootout. Tsimikas has been content with his role as a backup to Robertson and has largely done well when called upon since his arrival in 2020. There is an overwhelming sense among the fan base that this area of the side could do with some refreshment, and the Reds have been heavily linked with Bournemouth’s Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez and Ajax’s Jorrel Hato in recent months.
Injuries a Problem, Who Replaces the Local Hero: Right-Back
The question has been answered: Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract at the end of next month. It was no secret that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract at Anfield is due to expire at the end of the season. The England defender has now addressed the situation publicly, informing Liverpool fans of his decision to leave Anfield upon the expiry of his contract. A decision that has left a bad taste in the eyes of the Anfield faithful.
Creditable journalists have reported that Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid is all but signed and sealed. Now work will begin on finding a suitable replacement. Liverpool do have young Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley waiting in the wings; it’s clear that Bradley is ready to go and be a first-choice Premier League right-back, and it is also clear that Bradley is happy to remain at Anfield.
Bradley has suffered a number of injuries during his time around the first team, which is a concern and shows that Liverpool will need to sign a right-back, regardless of whether the plan is to make Bradley first choice or not.
Lutsharel Geertruida, formerly of Arne Slot’s Feyenoord, would be someone that Liverpool could look to bring in. The Dutch defender’s versatility may also encourage the Reds’ hierarchy if indeed they do decide to pursue a deal, with the right-back able to operate in the centre of defence as well as in a holding midfield role.
However, a deal could be difficult as the Dutch international only joined current employers RB Leipzig last summer. Another option, which may appeal to Liverpool due to his eligibility to add to the club’s homegrown quota, is Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutch international spent 9 years coming through the ranks at Manchester City before joining Celtic in 2019. Currently of Bayer Leverkusen, the Dutch defender also has a €40 million release clause in his contract that becomes active this summer.
The explosive right-back will undoubtedly be a wanted man over the course of the next few months; there will be no surprise if Liverpool are in fact among those interested in adding to their Dutch contingent.
It’s also worth noting that Joe Gomez will return to the Liverpool squad after injury. The former Charlton Athletic man is a versatile defender who mainly identifies as a centre-back, although he has deputised for Alexander-Arnold at right-back very well over the course of his time at the club. However, the Englishman’s season has been hampered by injury, and it will be interesting to see how Arne Slot handles his situation once the Reds return for pre-season training.
Strength in Depth: Centre-Back
Liverpool have already made moves in this area, having tied club captain Virgil Van Dijk down to a new contract until 2027. Securing the skipper’s contract was rightly a priority for Arne Slot’s side. However, the Reds are lacking in depth in central defence, and with Ibrahima Konate’s contract set to end in 2026, their hands may be forced.
With Joe Gomez’s fitness a concern and Slot seemingly reluctant to rely on Jarell Quansah, it may be an area the hierarchy will look to strengthen. Talks have reportedly taken place between Liverpool and Konaté, which is encouraging, but the Frenchman’s wage demands are reportedly what stands in the way of a deal being agreed.
An option is that Liverpool look to bring in versatile full-backs, along the lines of Hato and Geertruida, who can also operate effectively as central defenders. It’s common knowledge that Liverpool are keen admirers of Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, who has a £50 million release clause in his contract. Something that Liverpool like to make use of. However, Huijsen isn’t short of admirers. If Liverpool want to bring the Dutch-born, Spain international to the club, they may have to convince the defender that Anfield is the best place for him to play his football.
Some more experienced cover would also be welcomed; some believe this should have been addressed in January, although it didn’t deter Liverpool from their quest to win a 20th English top-flight title.
Liverpool’s Potential Approach to Defensive Reinforcements
Many of the answers now appear clearer. Now that Alexander-Arnold has announced his decision to leave, it’s clear that Liverpool will be in the market for a right-back. The Reds would ideally look to bring in a player in each position across the back four, although the hierarchy may opt for a couple of full-backs that are capable of being laid in the middle as and when required.
Liverpool will be in pursuit of at least a couple of full-backs, one for each side. Slot’s preferred style and the versatility of the players suggest that Jorrel Hato and Lutsharel Geertruida would fit right in and add enough cover to the back line were the two to be signed by the Anfield outfit this summer. However, with the Reds’ interest in Huijsen said to be concrete and Liverpool already having the players to play a certain way, there’s a case to be made for Liverpool bringing in Kerkez, Huijsen and Frimpong. The latter idea would certainly give Slot more options, a different way of playing, with players equally capable of playing in Slot’s preferred style.
Ultimately, this defensive reshape isn’t just about refreshing personnel; it’s about adapting to a new era while preserving a winning identity. Arne Slot’s second summer at the helm will undoubtedly be busier than the first, where Liverpool only brought in Federico Chiesa, who has struggled for minutes; it will also demand precision in recruitment and clarity in vision. Whether Liverpool double down on versatility with players like Geertruida and Hato, or lean into more specialised profiles like Kerkez, Frimpong, and Huijsen, the direction they take will reveal much about how Slot intends to keep building on Jürgen Klopp’s legacy.
One thing is certain: defending a Premier League title is often harder than winning it. Something Liverpool know all too well, having struggled to build on winning the title in 2020. With key figures potentially departing and new faces coming in on the horizon, Liverpool’s back line may look very different come August.
But if the club can strike the right balance between evolution and stability, they’ll not only be equipped to defend their crown, they’ll be ready to chase even greater heights. The cup competitions undoubtedly took their toll at one stage of the campaign; playing 120 minutes in the Champions League ahead of the Carabao Cup final proved a step too far in both competitions.
The lack of depth, along with the expectancy of players having to play in big games days apart, was one of the main reasons that Liverpool didn’t land silverware on multiple fronts. Slot, along with Richard Hughes, knows what they need to do; now it’s about delivering on what is set to be a key summer on the Kop.
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