Lutsharel Geertruida has emerged as a transfer option for Liverpool and Arne Slot ahead of Monday’s deadline
Stephen Killen Senior Sport Central Audience Writer
12:48, 01 Feb 2026
Lutshareel Geertruida is in talks over a move to Liverpool.(Image: Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Liverpool are in talks to sign on-loan Sunderland utility man Lutsharel Geertruida but face a race against time to do so. The winter transfer window closes on Monday at 7pm, but the timeframe could be even shorter for the Reds.
The 25-year-old is on loan from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig until the end of the season and the ECHO reported on Sunday morning that the move is believed to be far from straightforward. Arne Slot’s side have to reach an agreement with both Leipzig and Sunderland over a switch for the Holland international, that can play at right-back, centre-back and in defensive midfield.
Slot worked with Geertruida at Feyenoord as they picked up Dutch top-flight honours, as well as, losing out on UEFA Conference League glory to Roma. Predominantly played at right-back, the defender has previously talked up Slot’s influence on his career as he claimed the Liverpool head coach brought the ‘best out of him’ during their time together in Rotterdam.
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Reports in the North East and in Germany suggest that both Geertruida’s permanent club and temporary club are open to allowing the international defender to leave the club. The 25-year-old is said to welcome a move to Merseyside, where he would unite with Oranje teammates Virgil van Dijk, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.
However, for Liverpool it is a waiting game as Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has claimed that Sunderland will only sanction a move if they can source a replacement in time for tomorrow’s 7pm deadline.
The plans could be impacted further with Regis Le Bris’ side preparing to take on Brentford as part of Monday night football, with their encounter getting underway at 8pm.
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By the time the window slams shut, team news will have broken from the Stadium of Light and the Black Cats have issues of their own with stalwart Granit Xhaka ruled out with a foot injury, where he is expected to be out for at least three weeks, leaving Geertruida as an option to make his first appearance since the beginning of January.
The defender hasn’t featured for the Black Cats since their 3-0 defeat away at Brentford last month, with Geertruida sitting on the bench for each of their last three that brought just one win.
Liverpool have their own issues on the injury front with right-back Conor Bradley and summer signing Giovanni Leoni out for the rest of the season with knee injuries.
Joe Gomez has suffered with persistent fitness issues and was forced off in last weekend’s defeat to Bournemouth, meaning he has missed the last two outings for Liverpool and faces a race to be fit for next Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.
Jeremie Frimpong is out for a few weeks with a muscle problem after the Liverpool defender was forced off inside five minutes against Qarabag.
The Reds’ worries aren’t as bad as first feared but it still leaves the defending champions perilously short going into the business end of the season, where they are competing in the FA Cup, Champions League and fighting for qualification in next season’s elite European competition.
Speaking on Saturday, Slot said: “I think there’s always lots of talks about Liverpool and lots of talks about the Liverpool players. There was a lot of noise around the club the last week, maybe I should say weeks.
“I think our fans showed today what noise really means, that’s being loud because they were so helpful today.
“So that is what what noise here is in Liverpool. I think we are trying to strengthen the squad and not trying to weaken it. But yeah, 48 hours or something, I don’t know how long to go. So let’s see where the window ends up.”