One of Liverpool's reported transfer targets has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup, with Nico Schlotterbeck looking set for a long lay-off after picking up an injury
14:47, 22 Jun 2026
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 20: Nico Schlotterbeck #15 of Germany gets medical attention during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out of the remainder of this summer’s World Cup, with any potential transfer now also in major doubt amid links with Liverpool.
Schlotterbeck has started both of Germany’s games so far at the tournament, but was forced off at half-time after receiving treatment for what looked to be an ankle injury during the first period of the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.
The German Football Association (DFB) has now confirmed that the defender will miss the rest of the tournament, with manager Julian Nagelsmann revealing that he had suffered a “medial ankle ligament injury”, as well as expressing his surprise at his ability to continue playing until half-time.
A scan on Sunday revealed that the Borussia Dortmund star had torn a ligament in his left ankle, with Schlotterbeck now set to be out for several months. He will remain with his international teammates during the remainder of the World Cup though, with Germany having booked its place in the knockout stages at the weekend.
"We will miss Schlotti a great deal on the pitch as an outstanding defender, especially his excellent playmaking,” Nagelsmann said.
“This could have been his World Cup. We all tried to cheer him up yesterday – luckily, he's a very positive guy who's already looking ahead.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 20: Nico Schlotterbeck #15 of Germany receives medical attention during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Nico Schlotterbeck has been linked with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
“It's a good sign that he's staying with the team for now, because he also has an influence off the pitch. Despite his absence, we are still very well positioned in central defense for the World Cup with Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, Waldemar Anton, and Malick Thiaw."
News of Schlotterbeck’s long lay-off may come as a blow to Liverpool, with the defender having been linked with a move to Anfield for some time now.
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Although he signed a new contract with Dortmund earlier this year, with the deal running until 2031, a release clause was included which would allow Schlotterbeck to leave the club for a fee between $58 million and $70 million. According to BILD, this clause is only available to three specific teams, and Liverpool is one of them.
The Reds could be in the market for a new center-back this summer, despite Jeremy Jacquet arriving from Rennes next month. With Ibrahima Konate completing a move to Real Madrid, Liverpool is set to go into next season with four senior options at the heart of its defense, including Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni.
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Unfortunately for Liverpool, Real Madrid is also said to be in the running for Schlotterbeck, with Spanish outlet El Debate claiming that the 25-year-old would prefer a move to the Bernabeu. Having suffered a long-term injury though, there will be major doubts about him moving this summer.