Liverpool are in discussions to take over Lutsharel Geertruida’s loan spell at Sunderland for the rest of the season. Geertruida, who previously played under Reds manager Arne Slot at Feyenoord, is currently on loan at the Black Cats from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig. Following Liverpool’s 4-1 home victory against Newcastle United on Saturday, Slot hinted that the club were looking to bolster their squad before Monday’s transfer deadline.

The versatile 25-year-old Geertruida, capable of playing as a right-back, centre-back or defensive midfielder, has emerged as one of several options. However, finalising such a deal could be complex, because the Reds require two agreements – with both Sunderland and Leipzig. Liverpool have been grappling with a shortage of right-backs due to injuries to Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez.

Dominik Szoboszlai had to fill in at right-back over the weekend, while a long-term ACL injury to young centre-back Giovanni Leoni has further depleted Slot’s defensive options. Geertruida, capped 19 times by Holland, has featured in 17 games for Sunderland this season, although only one of his 10 starts has been in the right-back position.

The defender started his footballing journey at his local side Feyenoord, where he lifted the Eredivisie trophy in 2023 under Slot’s management. Speculation about a possible switch to Anfield intensified in April 2024 when Geertruida was seen among Liverpool supporters during their 2-2 stalemate with West Ham United, just after Slot’s appointment as Jurgen Klopp‘s successor was announced.