Liverpool could use the addition of Zeki Celik to plug some gaps in their backline.
It has emerged this week that the Reds have inquired about Celik, who is currently on the books of AS Roma.
However, the defender is due to be out of contract with the Italian outfit later this year, which means Liverpool could sign him to a pre-contract agreement ahead of a free-agent summer move.
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Alisson before Marseille vs Liverpool - UEFA Champions League
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Celik is a natural right-back, but is more than capable of acting as a central defender as well.
This would see Jamie Carragher’s wish of upgrading on Joe Gomez granted.
Zeki Celik named Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘best in world’
Gomez has been in and out of the team this season, covering at right-back due to injury issues.
With Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong sidelined, Liverpool’s backline is weak right now, so the potential addition of Celik does make sense.
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However, the Reds’ defensive woes could have been avoided had Trent Alexander-Arnold not been sold to Real Madrid after the normal 2025/26 season came to a close.
The Englishman spent his entire career at Liverpool before moving to Spain, and his performances caught the eye of Celik.
Speaking to Turkish outlet Aspor in 2020, the now Reds target said that Alexander-Arnold was the best right-back in the world.
He said: “In my position, I really liked the Brazilian Dani Alves; I used to watch him a lot. I also really like Walker from City. I watch Piszczek from Dortmund a lot. Right now, I can say that the best right-back in the world is Arnold from Liverpool. Apart from him, I like players like Kimmich, Carvajal, Walker, and Hakimi.”
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
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How Zeki Celik stats compare to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s
Whether Celik ends up at Liverpool later this year remains to be seen.
But if he does, he’s unlikely to offer the same attacking threat as the man he previously praised.
Trent ended his Liverpool career with 92 assists and 23 goals across all competitions.
Celik, on the other hand, is a much more defensive-minded option, hence why he can also play at centre-back.
To date, he has two goals and nine assists in 135 outings for Roma.
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