Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool’s pursuit of defensive stability has become a frantic race against time.
The summer window saw the recruitment team work overtime to address a growing crisis at the back.
The Merseyside club has been hammered by injuries to key men like Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
Even the new arrivals have not been spared from the Anfield “injury curse.”
Jeremy Jacquet was signed in a high-profile £60 million deal to secure the club’s defence for the forseeable future.
However, he recently sustained a worrying shoulder injury recently with Rennes, which he might need to undergo surgery for.
With Ibrahima Konate’s contract talks still ongoing and the risk of him leaving for free, the need for a left-sided specialist has never been greater.
The scouting department has now reportedly turned its attention to Italy to find a versatile solution.
One potential target who has been previously linked with the club has undergone a remarkable transformation in Serie A.
The 27-year-old defender originally made his name in the Championship and Premier League with Bournemouth and Bristol City.
Lloyd Kelly eventually moved to Newcastle United on a free transfer in 2024.
However, his time in the North East was short-lived.
He struggled for minutes and eventually moved to Juventus in January 2025.
His start in Turin was equally difficult laced with heavy criticism from the Italian press and struggled to adapt to the tactical demands of the league.
Despite the rocky start, he fought off the critics to become a starter.
This season, he has played 30 times in all competitions and has become a leader for the Bianconeri.
His growth has now put him on Liverpool’s radar once again as reports suggest the club are on the lookout for summer reinforcements.
Mirko Di Natale of TuttoJuve broke the news regarding the interest via X.
He posted, “The spotlight on Lloyd Kelly could turn on in the summer. Juve, today, is not considering the idea of letting him go.”
He followed this with a warning for the Premier League giants.
“But watch out for the Premier big guns: Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham will be looking for a central defender. Valuation? Paid 17.5mln plus bonuses, his value now oscillates between 40 and 50mln €. More than double what it was a year ago.”
✅ I riflettori su Lloyd #Kelly potrebbero accendersi in estate. La #Juve, oggi, non prende in considerazione l’idea di cederlo.
‼️Ma attenzione alle big di Premier: #Chelsea, #Liverpool e #Tottenham cercheranno un difensore centrale.
💰 Valutazione? Pagato 17,5mln più bonus,… https://t.co/5NB1kNT1jQ
— Mirko Di Natale (@_Morik92_) February 13, 2026
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From a Liverpool perspective, if the interest is real, then, it is understandable.
The club is rebuilding its defence while managing injuries and future transitions.
Kelly’s growth in Italy now puts him firmly on their radar.
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