Liverpool are currently monitoring Midtjylland centre-back Lee Han-beom following his recent performances for South Korea in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as per teamTALK (h/t Rousing the Kop). The Reds could potentially sign a new centre-back this summer after Ibrahima Konate opted to run down his contract and join Real Madrid as a free agent.
Han-beom featured in the starting XI for South Korea and was an integral part of their 2-1 win over Czechia in their Group A FIFA World Cup opener (June 11). Several top European sides have taken an interest in the 23-year-old following his performance, including Liverpool, Leeds United, Chelsea, and Newcastle United.
After replacing Arne Slot as Liverpool head coach, Andoni Iraola will be keen to bolster his squad ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. However, the Spaniard will need to wait till after the FIFA World Cup to fully work with his new players. Reds centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni will also need to be integrated back into the squad once they recover from their respective injuries.
Lee Han-beom could be an underrated signing for the Reds. The South Korea international started his senior career at FC Seoul before joining Dutch side Midtjylland in 2023. He has helped his side win the Danish Superliga and Danish Cup, and made nine appearances for the Korean national team.
"Being out of games at Liverpool was to prepare me for the World Cup" - Alisson makes honest admission ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker has admitted that he missed several Liverpool games towards the end of the season on purpose to ensure he was 100 percent fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 33-year-old missed 19 fixtures across all competitions for the Reds last season due to injury, including seven out of their last eight Premier League games due to a hamstring issue.
Alisson recently told Estadao (via This is Anfield):
"There are still questions, but that doesn’t scare me. I am aware that I am on the right track. Sometimes, on the field, things don’t happen as we would like. Perhaps, if we had won more, the perception would be different. What bothers me most is not having won. There is always that feeling that I could have done something differently. I am 100 percent and being out of games at Liverpool was to prepare me for the World Cup."
While Alisson has become injury-prone in recent years, he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world and will aim to make a big impact for Brazil at the FIFA World Cup. He has kept 44 clean sheets in 78 appearances across all competitions for the Selecao.