Liverpool are reportedly exploring a loan move for Lutsharel Geertruida before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
Stephen Killen Senior Sport Central Audience Writer
08:55, 01 Feb 2026
Liverpool are reportedly in talks to sign Sunderland loanee Lutsharel Geertruida. (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
In-demand Sunderland loanee Lutsharel Geertruida has previously hailed Liverpool head coach Arne Slot amid ‘talks’ over a possible January transfer.
The former Feyenoord star also stated that the Premier League-winning tactician got the ‘best out of him’ during their time together in Rotterdam – which saw Slot help bring Eredivisie success back to the club. According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have held talks over a move for the 25-year-old, who is currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig.
The Reds are weathering their defensive issues at the moment, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk their only senior centre-backs, as well as Andy Robertson and Milos Kerkez in full-back positions. Joe Gomez has endured persistent injury issues, while he and summer signing Jeremie Frimpong have now returned to the treatment table, joining Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley after the pair suffered respective season-ending knee injuries.
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The Athletic reported that Liverpool are in talks over a possible loan deal for the Netherlands international – but any move would need the blessing of Sunderland – where he has made 17 appearances this season.
Geertruida was at Leipzig when Darwin Nunez’s effort was enough for the Reds to push past the Bundesliga club during the Champions League League Phase in 2024.
Ahead of the reunion with his former manager, the 25-year-old lauded Liverpool’s boss, he said: “Of course. Arne managed to get the best out of me. He was never afraid to give me some harsh truths and was always correct in what he said about me.
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“I believe he was a game changer for Feyernoord as soon as he arrived in Rotterdam. We always looked to play a dominant style of football, no matter the opponent.
“That led to us winning both the league title and the cup – as well as also getting us to a Conference League final. That shows he did a really great job.
“He is an intelligent coach who knows how he wants to go about things. Off-the-field he is, also, very open and is always prepared to listen to what you have to say and is easy to have a conversation with.”
Geertruida is a versatile player and has played across the defensive line, as well as midfield, but has predominantly featured at right-back.
Frimpong’s latest injury setback wasn’t as bad as first feared, and is expected to return in a couple of weeks after being forced off inside five minutes against Qarabag in the Champions League.
Slot, seemingly, left the door open to a potential arrival on deadline day in a shock admission.
He 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. Yeah, 48 hours or something, I don’t know how long to go. So let’s see where the window ends up.”