Liverpool
/A year after Trent’s exit, Liverpool still have a major right-back problem: it should be a position of priority in the summer
A year after Trent’s exit, Liverpool still have a major right-back problem: it should be a position of priority in the summer
Liverpool’s right-back issue is back like it never left.
In the summer of 2025, Liverpool might have thought they had done enough to move on from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Jeremie Frimpong arrived to replace Trent’s creativity and flair with his own explosiveness and end product, Conor Bradley was expected to grow into a bigger role, and Joe Gomez offered dependable cover. On paper, that looked like a smart reset for a modest fee, given major spending on other positions of need.
But football has a habit of exposing plans. Bradley’s injury problems have prevented him from building real momentum, Frimpong has had his own fitness setbacks, and Liverpool suddenly look short again in one of the most important positions on the pitch.
Why Liverpool have to sign a new right-back in the summer
The biggest issue is not just that Liverpool have injuries but that the position still does not feel fully settled. Frimpong is a dynamic player, but after those first months at the club, it’s clear he is more of a hybrid right-back/right-wing option than a pure fix for the role.
He can help Liverpool attack with real menace, especially in games where they dominate the ball, but asking him to be the full answer in a defensive sense may be too optimistic, although he has shown flashes of defensive quality, perhaps even more than Trent did in his last season.
Bradley remains the most natural fit, and many supporters will still see him as the long-term successor, though parts of the fanbase have certainly written him off as a liability due to constant injuries.
But his pure level is part of the reason this situation feels frustrating rather than hopeless. The talent is there, the logic is there, and yet the reliability is not. Every time it looks as if the position is finally stabilising, another fitness problem drags the conversation back to square one.
The fan frustration is easy to understand, too. Liverpool supporters have seen what a truly elite right-back can do to a team’s rhythm, its structure and its confidence. Once the position starts looking shaky, everything around it starts to wobble.
The club does not need – and probably can’t get – another superstar like Trent for the sake of it, but it does need a more dependable answer than “hope everyone stays fit.” That is why another move in the summer now feels necessary.
Liverpool are unlikely to have unlimited funds, and bigger money will probably need to be spent in other areas of the squad, so this cannot be a blank-cheque chase. A ceiling of around 30 to 40 million pounds feels about right for this market if the club wants to strengthen without reaching too deep in their pockets.
Joe Gomez adds another layer to that discussion. He has been useful as a cover option, but utility players are most valuable when they are not forced into permanent emergency duty.
If Liverpool want to streamline the squad and bring in a specialist, Gomez may be the one moved on to make room. That would be a hard call, but it’s been widely reported that Gomez himself wanted to move on last summer to chase more gametime elsewhere.
Liverpool’s right-back conundrum: who to sign?
Let’s look at some possible right-back options that would be attainable in the summer, even if big-money moves are to be made elsewhere in the squad, leaving the budget for the position rather tight.
Givairo Read: the high-upside “Trent-lite” project
If Liverpool do decide to shop in this market again, the list of realistic names is pretty clear, and Givairo Read is the one that gets supporters most excited.
Scouts describe him as light across the ground, explosive over short distances and technically clean enough to play like an extra midfielder when he moves inside. He is already comfortable operating as a traditional right-back, an attacking wing-back or tucking into midfield zones to help build play.
The caveat is that he is still raw, especially defensively. Some profiles point to his developing aerial game and occasional lapses in one-v-one defending, the kind of issues you expect from a teenager rather than a finished product. Thus, he would be a partner and competitor for Bradley and Frimpong rather than a definitive starting XI fit.
Financially, reports suggest Feyenoord and potential suitors are looking at valuations in the mid-twenties to low-thirties in millions of euros.
Amar Dedić: the grown-up, plug-and-play choice
Benfica signed Dedic from Salzburg in 2025 on a long-term contract after he had already established himself as a starter and occasional captain in Austria. At 23, Dedic is approaching 250 games in senior football across all his stops, this season he’s already played over 3000 minutes for Benfica. He also has accumulated 26 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In stylistic terms, Dedić is a two-way full-back: aggressive in duels, strong in recovery runs, and capable of overlapping tirelessly rather than acting as the primary playmaker. He can also cover as a left-back in a pinch, which adds another layer of usefulness to a squad.
From a financial perspective, Dedić looks like the sensible middle ground. Having only recently moved to Benfica, he will not be cheap, but estimates place his value in the £15–25m range rather than the €40m-plus bracket reserved for Premier League-proven stars.
Agustín Giay: the value pick with no European premium fee
Agustín Giay is the name that will excite Liverpool’s scouting and analytics departments. The 22 year old Argentine made his name at San Lorenzo, where his performances drew a bid from Palmeiras in the region of $6m while he was still a teenager, and he now finds himself tied to a long-term contract in Brazil.
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Giay has already played as a right-back, centre-back right wing-back and in more advanced wide roles, combining a solid engine with decent physicality at around 1.80m tall.
He may not yet have the polished delivery or defensive reliability of someone like Dedić, but he does bring flexibility in how he can be used: as cover for Frimpong, as a more conservative full-back, or even as the right-sided player in a back three.
The key point is the price. Current estimates put him in the ‘under 20 million pounds’ bracket, which is a very appealing figure for a multi-role defender who still has development ahead of him. Giay would be the classic smart-money signing a lot of fans miss at Liverpool recently: not the headline name but the sort of player you look back on in three years and realise was quietly crucial to squad depth.
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The expensive wish list: Acheampong, Gray and Livramento
English top talents Josh Acheampong, Archie Gray and Tino Livramento all belong in the “fans would love it, the accounts might not” category.
Josh Acheampong has emerged as one of Chelsea’s most highly rated young defenders, capable of playing both right-back and centre-back. A modern full-back/centre-back hybrid, Acheampong would also boost the homegrown numbers of any English club if he were to leave Chelsea.
From Liverpool’s point of view, he would be a superb long-term English investment but would Chelsea be ready to sell? Chelsea’s business model is built on extracting full value from academy products so that’s not impossible to imagine. But even if so, how expensive would he get? Probably too expensive.
Archie Gray offers a different kind of appeal. At Leeds and Spurs, he has been used both in midfield and at right-back. In theory, he would give Liverpool an English, multi-position player who can cover Trent-like roles in midfield and full-back areas.
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In reality, his estimated value will be sky-high even if Spurs are to go down, which is probably the only way how Gray could become available in the summer. Still, an incredible option if Liverpool could pull it off, perhaps the best out of all listed. And this signing might be justified as one that strengthens the midfield as well.
Tino Livramento might be the most straightforward “elite profile, elite price” example. After leaving Southampton for Newcastle, he has established himself as a high-level Premier League full-back: aggressive, technically sound, and capable on either flank.
Newcastle are reportedly ready to talk on a possible summer exit for Livramento but would demand a premium to sell a young starter to a direct rival, and Liverpool would need to fend off the Arsenal competition.
For all three, the footballing fit is easy to argue. The financial logic, under Liverpool’s current constraints, might not be as straightforward.
A sensible next step
The real argument here is not that Liverpool got it wrong in trying to replace Trent with Frimpong and Bradley. Frimpong can remain part of the solution as a more attacking hybrid option, Bradley can stay the long-term hope – we fans love nothing more than a homegrown, club-supporting, passion-filled lad flying in with perfect tackles to get the ball off Mbappe.
But as things stand, the position still is one injury away from another season of having to play Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones out of position. The options are there, as listed above, and the club just needs to make a right choice.
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Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Conor Bradley
Joseph Dave Gomez
Jeremie Frimpong
Amar Dedić
Givairo Read
Agustín Giay
Josh Acheampong
Archie Gray
Valentino Livramento
Footbal
Mohamed Salah, Transfer Rumours
News
FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 11 April, including the latest updates on Yan Diomande and Michael Olise.
Article continues under the video
Liverpool ‘close’ to agreeing Yan Diomande deal
Liverpool are “close” to completing a sensational transfer swoop for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who could replace Mohamed Salah at Anfield.
Salah has announced that he will quit the Reds in the summer, leading to a flurry of speculation over who might replace him.
Dream target Michael Olise might be out of reach, but Diomande, who is valued around the €100 million mark by Leipzig, is on the verge of making his way to Anfield for the 2026/27 season, according to Indykaila.
READ MORE.
Current ETV
Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande
F (RL)
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig
€27.6M
ETV Range
€24.9M – €30.4M
View full profile
Real Madrid prepare Michael Olise bid
Real Madrid are determined to sign Michael Olise from Bayern Munich and have offered the Bundesliga giants a record fee for the France international star.
Los Blancos are eager to secure the 24-year-old’s signature and are ready to make a bid worth €160-165 million, according to Bild journalist Christian Falk.
However, although this would represent a huge profit for Bayern given they signed Olise for €53m from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024, they have no appetite to sell.
Castello Lukeba to Arsenal update
The door is open for Arsenal to complete the signing of RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, but the Gunners will have to win a “massive scramble” with several of their Premier League rivals to get the deal done.
Arsenal have been “formally notified” of the availability of Lukeba along with his other suitors, according to a report from TEAMtalk, with a fee just shy of €60m potentially enough to secure a deal.
It is claimed that Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all interested in signing the 23-year-old. Tottenham also see the defender as a potential replacement for Mickey van de Ven, should he leave in the summer.
Castello Lukeba, RB Leipzig
© IMAGO – Castello Lukeba, RB Leipzig
Chelsea lead Marc Casado race
Chelsea have reportedly emerged as the frontrunners to sign VfB Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson have both been earmarked as possible midfield signings by the Blues hierarchy, while they have now moved into the lead in the race to sign Stiller, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
It’s claimed that Chelsea have regularly sent scouts to watch the 25-year-old in action in the Bundesliga this term and they are ready to offer him an annual salary of €9 million to move to Stamford Bridge during the upcoming summer window.
Liverpool and Man City chase Christian Kofane
Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly ready to rival Arsenal in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane this summer.
The 19-year-old has emerged as a key target for Mikel Arteta ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, with the Gunners boss eager to bolster his attacking options amid rumours that Gabriel Jesus is likely to be sold. However, they are set to face significant competition in their bid to sign.
That is because Liverpool and Man City have joined the race to sign Kofane ahead of the upcoming summer window, as per TEAMtalk. Both Premier League giants have reportedly made contact to signal their interest in the 19-year-old and they are ready to rival Arsenal for his signature.
Christian Kofane, Bayer Leverkusen
© IMAGO – Christian Kofane, Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal eye triple deal
Arsenal are reportedly ready to back Mikel Arteta in the transfer market by signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Marc Casado and Valentino Livramento this summer.
FootballTransfers understands that Arteta is keen to raid Newcastle United this summer, with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Valentino Livramento all on Arsenal’s transfer radar ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Interest in Livramento has been confirmed by multiple outlets, including Spanish publication Fichajes, who also claim that Arsenal have drawn up a plan to sign the aforementioned Casado and Kvaratskhelia this summer.
Neymar in talks with MLS side
Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati are in preliminary talks with Santos star Neymar over a potential transfer, according to The Athletic.
After leaving Al-Hilal in early 2025, he returned to boyhood club Santos and his full focus right now is on convincing Carlo Ancelotti to include him in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
What happens after the World Cup, though, is currently unclear and FC Cincinnati are currently in talks with the player’s camp to gauge his interest in potentially joining the club.
READ MORE.
Neymar, Santos
© IMAGO – Neymar, Santos
Joe Gelhardt wants Rangers move
Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt reportedly wants to join Rangers on a permanent deal when his loan spell at Hull City ends this summer.
The 23-year-old has just one year remaining on his current contract at Elland Road and it’s understood that he is keen to explore his options ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window following an excellent season at Hull.
Gelhardt has been linked with a move to Rangers for the past few weeks and Football Insider report that he is “keen” to complete an Ibrox switch this summer, with Danny Rohl’s side currently the frontrunners to sign him.
READ MORE.
Transfer Rumour Round-Up
Tottenham are in pole position to sign Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson on a Bosman deal this summer. (David Ornstein)
Man Utd are among the clubs interested in signing AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit, who is valued at €50m. (CaughtOffside)
West Ham could sign Chelsea defender Axel Disasi on a permanent deal for €35m if they avoid relegation back down to the Championship this season. (Football Insider)
Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly ahead of a potential summer pursuit. (Fichajes)
Roberto De Zerbi wants Tottenham to sign Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini this summer. (TEAMtalk)
Football transfer news headlines today
Transfer Rumours: Liverpool and Real Madrid open talks over stunning Camavinga swap deal
Fabrizio Romano transfer news: Sancho talks confirmed, Liverpool deal close, Olise move latest
Chelsea risk Joao Pedro fury as latest transfer target confirmed
Aston Villa name Rogers price after opening door to Man Utd summer transfer
Liverpool
BREAKING Arne Slot have been offered a new contract at Liverpool until 2030 after an impressive season.LFC Understand his current contract runs out June 2027. Told some few details are being discussed and it will be sealed for him to sign in the next days.
Arne slot signnewcontract +5 As of April 13, 2026, Arne Slot has not signed a new contract with Liverpool.
While there was speculation about an extension after he led the team to the Premier League title in the 2024-25 season, recent reports indicate his position is under pressure due to a difficult run of form in the 2025-26 campaign.Contract Status and Recent ContextOriginal Deal: Slot joined Liverpool on a three-year contract that was set to run until June 2027.Contract Talks: In October 2025, it was reported that Liverpool were eager to offer him a new deal. However, by March 2026, Slot addressed rumors of an extension by stating that his focus was solely on winning matches rather than discussing contracts.Current Situation: As of April 2026, speculation has shifted toward his future at the club following a “drastic slump in form,” with some reports even mentioning potential sack pressure.In summary, despite initial success, there is no official confirmation of a new contract, and the focus remains on his immediate performance.Arne Slot drops ‘giveaway clue’ France int’l will sign at Anfield26 Feb 2026 — Liverpool Transfer News * Joe Williams just now. Ornstein reveals STUNNING Konate contract update at Liverpool that could have transfer ramifications. David Orn…TEAMtalk1:43Liverpool boss Arne Slot set to be handed new contract – Paper TalkSky Sports·Arne Slot discusses potential new Liverpool contract – Yahoo Sports20 Mar 2026 — Arne Slot discusses potential new Liverpool contract. Anfield Index. Fri, Mar 20, 2026. Liverpool and Arne Slot: Focus Remains Firm Amid Contract Talk. Liverpoo…Yahoo Sports9am on a Thursday morning and Arne Slot is yet to be sacked, this …9 Apr 2026 — 🚨BREAKING: Arne Slot is now under serious internal pressure. Sources indicate that the club will not tolerate another collapse: 2 or 3 more negative results co…Facebook·Premier League TauntsArne Slot delivers update on new Liverpool contract31 Oct 2025 — The Dutchman led the Reds to the Premier League title in the 2024-25 campaign, while they also reached the Carabao Cup final. However, amid fresh reports that n…Yahoo News SingaporeArne Slot set to be offered new contract by Liverpool after winning …24 May 2025 — Arne Slot set to be offered new contract by Liverpool after winning Premier League. … Liverpool’s board are planning to upgrade the contract of manager Arne S…Flashscore.comArne Slot signs three year contract as Liverpool’s head coach – ITVX21 May 2024 — Arne Slot signs three year contract as Liverpool’s head coach. … Former Feyenoord coach Arne Slot has been officially confirmed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at…ITVX AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
Liverpool
BREAKING NEWS Even though we lost to them today, I have to admit — he gave me one of the toughest games of my career,” Bernd Leno reveals, naming the ONE Liverpool FC player who truly surprised him with an outstanding performance. THEY EVEN SWAPPED JERSEYS AFTER THE FINAL WHIST
Even though Bernd Leno’s quote sounds dramatic, there’s no verified report or reliable source confirming that he recently singled out a Liverpool FC player with that exact statement.
Posts like this are often fan-made or social media rumors designed to go viral — especially when they include emotional lines like “one of the toughest games of my career” and mention things like shirt swaps.
What we can say:
Leno, who plays for Fulham FC, has faced Liverpool multiple times.
After matches, jersey swaps are common between players — so that part is believable, but not proof of the quote.
If a Liverpool player truly impressed him publicly, it would likely be reported by trusted outlets or journalists.
Likely Liverpool
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