Liverpool supporters were left frustrated and annoyed on Monday as the Reds failed to plug their gaping right-back vacancy on transfer deadline day.
There had been hope that a deal could be pushed through for Sunderland’s on-loan utility man Lutsharel Geertruida, but after the move fell through Liverpool did not act to find an alternative.
This is a big gamble from Richard Hughes and Arne Slot, with the Reds currently totalling zero fit, natural right-backs.
Zeki Celik could join Liverpool for FREE! Are there any other defenders we should look at?
Zeki Celik in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan
Credit: Gennaro Masi/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
Jeremie Frimpong will be back soon, but he will be left with no deputy as Conor Bradley continues to recover from a knee injury. With Bradley expected to be out for some time yet, there is a strong argument that Liverpool need a new right-back once again this summer.
Given the expectations over Bradley’s potential as a starter – and the quality of Frimpong as well – it may be a slightly tricky market for Liverpool to shop in, but there are two very different options in Serie A who could provide an answer.
Zeki Celik can be a no-nonsense back-up for Liverpool
If Bradley continues to be injury prone and Frimpong keeps looking like a better attacker than defender, a new right-back will end up playing a lot of games for Liverpool. As a result, they have to be of a good standard.
Clearly, the Reds felt this was not possible to achieve in the January window, but the summer will give them plenty more options.
Zeki Celik during RC Lens v AS Roma - Friendly Match 2025
Photo by Hugo Segato ATPImages/Getty Images
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One of those could be Roma’s Zeki Celik, who is currently heading towards the final six months of his contract at the Stadio Olimpico.
An experienced full-back who could also fill in at centre-back if really needed, Celik is reportedly on Liverpool’s radar as a free transfer signing.
Having spent years as a regular starter for Lille and then Roma, the 28-year-old would be a smart addition, potentially as an almost like-for-like replacement for Joe Gomez. Celik is no world beater, perhaps, but as a squad player Liverpool are unlikely to find better without spending a penny.
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Liverpool signing Jeremy Jacquet
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Marco Palestra could push to be a starter
What Liverpool do at right-back this summer will give a clear indication as to how they view Bradley and Frimpong in the longer term.
A player such as Celik arriving would be another vote of confidence in Bradley in particular, suggesting he can still grasp the shirt when he returns from injury.
But Liverpool may be wiser to think further into the future here. It would be super if Bradley could nail down his position as the Reds’ regular right-back, but there is now evidence across three separate seasons that his fitness is going to get in the way of that.
As a result, Liverpool could be better going out and signing another up and coming right-back who can potentially push Bradley for a long-term place in the side. That is a more exciting remit for Liverpool’s recruitment team, and could lead to Atalanta’s Marco Palestra being targeted.
There have been claims that Liverpool made an attempt to sign Palestra in 2025, and after an excellent season on loan at Genoa, he could certainly be one to watch ahead of the summer. Whichever way the Reds decide with this, they really need to do something
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