Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool were handed a concerning update from the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday evening as a defender linked to the club was forced off during Germany’s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium.
The Reds have been quietly building their case for a central defensive addition this summer, with Virgil van Dijk entering the later stages of his career and the club’s depth behind the Dutchman far from convincing.
A summer signing from 2025, Giovanni Leoni, played just a single game before tearing his ACL last September, leaving Liverpool acutely aware of the risks of going into another season light at the back.
The recruitment team has done their homework, and one name has been circling Anfield corridors for weeks.
Nico Schlotterbeck, the Borussia Dortmund and Germany centre back, is among the most coveted defensive targets in European football this summer.
The 26-year-old signed a new contract through 2031 but holds a release clause available to a select group of clubs, including Liverpool.
It is the kind of profile Iraola thrives on: a ball playing, physically imposing defender with elite progressive passing numbers and the mental toughness to perform at the highest level.
Saturday, however, delivered a gut punch.
Schlotterbeck rolled his left ankle attempting a challenge on Ivory Coast attacker Amad Diallo in just the 15th minute of the Group E clash.
He was in serious pain and was taken to the touchline to receive attention from the medical staff before returning to the field.
Antonio Rudiger was sent to warm up the moment Schlotterbeck signalled for treatment, and the Real Madrid centre back came on at half time, slotting alongside Jonathan Tah in central defence.
The prognosis delivered by Julian Nagelsmann after the final whistle did little to ease concerns.
The Germany head coach said:m, “It doesn’t look too good, unfortunately.”
”In the end, it is largely a tactical decision whether he can still perform.”
”And he did very well until half time.”
An MRI scan is expected to determine the full extent of the damage.
The timing is particularly cruel for Schlotterbeck, who also missed the end of the 2024 to 2025 Bundesliga season with a serious ankle injury, which ruled him out of the FIFA Club World Cup as well.
Despite that absence, he was still named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.
The transfer situation adds another layer of complexity.
According to Sky Sports Germany transfer expert Florian Plettenberg, the release clause available to Liverpool is not valid for the entire summer window and expires around the time of the World Cup final on July 19.
Should the injury sideline Schlotterbeck for a significant period, Liverpool’s decision makers will face a difficult call on whether to push ahead or recalibrate their defensive plans entirely.
The wait continues, but the worry at Anfield is very real.
🚨🇩🇪 Nico Schlotterbeck World Cup could be over due to an injury.
“Nico is suspected to have sustained a ligament injury. It’s not looking good”, says Julian Nagelsmann. pic.twitter.com/lxN8Jfy7Xy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 20, 2026