Image Credits: Imago Images
The Reds closed out their January business by securing Jeremy Jacquet’s arrival from Rennes in a blockbuster £60 million move, beating Chelsea to the signature of the highly-rated 20-year-old French left-back. However, while that deal ultimately came to fruition, another defensive target slipped through their fingers in Lutsharel Geertruida.
Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis has been well-documented throughout the campaign. Conor Bradley is ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering significant knee ligament damage against Arsenal on January 8, requiring surgery and an extended rehabilitation period.
To compound matters, Jeremie Frimpong also succumbed to injury, pulling up with a muscle problem just minutes into the Champions League fixture against Qarabag. Manager Arne Slot confirmed the Dutchman would be sidelined for several weeks, leaving Liverpool without both of their primary right-back options. Joe Gomez has battled fitness issues throughout the season, while summer signing Giovanni Leoni suffered a season-ending ACL tear on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup back in September.
As a result, the Reds began to explore a deal for Geertruida over the past weekend, who had previously spent three years playing under Slot at Feyenoord before departing for Leipzig in 2024.
However, what appeared close to completion on Sunday morning had dramatically collapsed by that evening. Reports emerged that following internal discussions at Sunderland, Geertruida had decided to remain at the Stadium of Light and focus on their upcoming fixture against Burnley. The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed Liverpool would not proceed with the deal, describing the transaction as “too complex” to finalize before the Monday deadline.
Now Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has broken his silence on the matter, and claims that Geertruida has “accepted” how everything played out:
“We’ve had many conversations. I think we were honest and really well connected all the way through,” he said as quoted by the Sunderland Echo.
“When the deadline was finished and over, he accepted the decision. I think he is ready to play for Sunderland. I don’t have any worries about him being okay from now on.”
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