Luke Chambers has been a regular for Liverpool during preseason and has caught the eye, with several Championship clubs now interested in a loan move for the young Liverpool defender
Andoni Iraola has a big decision to make
Andoni Iraola has a big decision to make(Image: Getty Images)
Luke Chambers has become a loan target for multiple clubs following an impressive showing for Liverpool during the club's preseason campaign.
The 22-year-old featured in the starting line-up for the final two matches of the recent United States tour against Wrexham and Leeds, after appearing as a substitute in the opening friendly versus Sunderland in Nashville.
Although primarily deployed as a left-back, Chambers was utilized at center-back due to Liverpool's shortage of options in that area and found the net in the 4-2 defeat to Leeds in Chicago. The defender spent the latter half of last season on loan at Charlton, where he featured regularly in the Addicks' successful battle against Championship relegation.
His displays throughout the year have attracted attention from prospective suitors in the Championship, including Queens Park Rangers, as well as at least one overseas club.
A verdict on the England U20 international's immediate plans is expected to be reached later in the transfer window, with Chambers anticipated to put pen to paper on a contract extension at Liverpool prior to any loan arrangement being finalized.
His showings in the United States drew acclaim from new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, particularly a 76-minute outing against Wrexham, after which Iraola said: "Luke Chambers played there, he is not a center-back, but he played really, really well."
Luke Chambers has impressed during preseason
Luke Chambers has impressed during preseason(Image: Getty Images)
Chambers, who has been with Liverpool since he was six years old, made his Reds debut in the League Cup during September 2023 and subsequently featured three times in the Europa League that campaign, starting twice.
He had earlier enjoyed a loan stint in Scotland with Kilmarnock before undertaking two temporary spells at League One outfit Wigan.
Liverpool's defensive problems
Liverpool may decide to keep hold of Chambers this summer due to the club's mini-crisis at the heart of Iraola's defense.
The Reds were short at center-back last season, with only Joe Gomez supporting the first-choice pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The situation has become even more alarming following the latter's recent transfer to Real Madrid.
Liverpool has brought in a new defender this summer, with Jeremy Jacquet arriving from Rennes, but he hasn't managed to play a single minute of preseason so far.
Giovanni Leoni is another option, but he's still recovering from a serious knee injury. To make matters worse, Gomez has picked up an injury during preseason.
Allowing Chambers, who impressed Iraola while playing at center-back, to leave Anfield right now feels like a huge risk.
Perhaps Liverpool should only allow him to leave once one or two reinforcements arrive in the transfer market.