Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool’s search for defensive cover is starting to point toward a familiar type of signing: a versatile player who can plug more than one gap without needing months to adjust.
And if emerging reports are true, then the player they have their eyes on looks like one they can rely on and already has a full career arc behind him.
The defender came through youth football in Rotterdam, joined Feyenoord’s academy, and made his senior debut in October 2017 in the Dutch cup.
He grew from a squad option into a regular and became part of the side that won the Eredivisie title in 2022–23, with his ability to operate at right-back, centre-back and defensive midfield adding to his value.
That flexibility matters in a Premier League season where injuries and rotation can stretch any squad.
His career numbers show durability.
Now at Sunderland, Lutsharel Geertruida brings serious experience with him, having made over 250 senior appearances across spells in the Netherlands and Germany, before joining RB Leipzig for around €20 million in August 2024 and arriving on Wearside on a season-long loan in September 2025, where he has already featured in 17 Premier League games this season.
Now, Liverpool’s interest has added pressure to the situation, because any deal involves multiple parties and timing is everything.
Liverpool’s interest in Geertruida is not new.
The defender was already being linked with a move to Anfield during his time at Feyenoord, with Dutch outlet De Telegraaf reporting that he was “ready” for a transfer and would “love to join” Arne Slot after the coach’s appointment by Liverpool.
At the time, Geertruida was Feyenoord vice-captain, had established himself as a versatile option across the back line, and was valued at around €30 million.
Fabrizio Romano, who broke the news wrote via his X page, “Liverpool, in talks to sign Lutsharel Geertruida as new defender.”
“Initial contacts took place with Sunderland as Arne Slot knows him well since Feyenoord times. #LFC in club to club negotiations.”
From a Liverpool point of view, the key detail is the Arne Slot connection.
Slot knows exactly what Geertruida can do from their Feyenoord link, so this is not a scouting gamble.
It is a targeted move.
But it is also a competitive negotiation.
Geertruida is on loan at Sunderland, while his parent club is RB Leipzig.
That means Liverpool are not just “monitoring” him.
Talks have started, and the deal structure has to satisfy everyone involved.
🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool, in talks to sign Lutsharel Geertruida as new defender.
Initial contacts took place with Sunderland as Arne Slot knows him well since Feyenoord times.#LFC in club to club negotiations. 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/BkAg5ttkgC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2026
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