Pompey have been credited with an interest in young Liverpool left-back Luke Chambers.
According to The Athletic, the Blues - along with QPR and Blackburn Rovers - are pursuing a move for the 22-year-old, who can also operate at centre-back and wing-back.
The Fratton Park side’s reported interest emerges at a time when there’suncertainty over first-choice left-back Connor Ogilvie’s return from knee surgery and Jacob Farrell has been told he’s free to leave PO4.
Right-back Zak Swanson has started at left-back for Pompey’s first two games of the new season. And while the former Arsenal defender has proven to be a reliable performer for head coach John Mousinho in that role, the six goals conceded against West Ham and QPR is a worry.
But what is there to know about the Liverpool youngster who could be about to temporarily swap Anfield for Fratton Park before the close of the transfer window in two weeks time? What have previous managers and current Reds boss Andoni Iraola said about the Preston-born defender, who has been at Liverpool since the age of six and has made four first-team appearances for the Reds?
Well, we’ve taken a look to find out and here’s what we discovered.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Kloppplaceholder image
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp | AFP via Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp following Chambers’ full Liverpool debut v Toulouse in October 2023
‘He's a boy with big hopes, he was on loan, done really really well in Scotland,’said Klopp.
‘He came back, had lots of opportunities, unlucky injury - it's time, time to show up. It's cool, no massive expectations, just be yourself, he deserves that. He's very excited, I'm sure of that.’
‘[There] was a lot of interest there in the summer, but I didn’t blink for a second then I thought I cannot let him go.’
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Shaun Maloney following defender’s loan move to Wigan in January 2024
‘I'm really happy to get Luke through the door,’ said Maloney.
‘He's the perfect profile for that left-back position; he can play in a three as a centre-back or as a full-back, he brings lots of technical quality, and he's good physically.
‘I think Luke's got a lot of talent, and I'm really happy to have him here.’
Shaun Maloney after Chambers returned to Latics for second loan spell in August 2024
‘Luke's a manager's dream, and we're very lucky to have him,’said the then Wigan boss.
‘He's so talented, and he's got a mentality that matches that. He runs to empty every single day in training and on a match day.
‘The fans love him and his team-mates love having him here.
‘There definitely won't be a better full-back in this division this season.’
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Charlton managing director James Rodwell and boss Nathan Jones after left-back moved to The Valley on loan in January 2025.
Rodwell: ‘Luke (is) a player we’ve been monitoring for some time. He is technically excellent, athletic and a progressive passer’.
Jones: ‘It’s no secret that we’ve been working hard to bring in a player that can come in and contribute on our left side, including at left wing-back, so I’m delighted that Luke has joined us.
‘He’s a talented, young, hungry player of real pedigree, having come through the Liverpool youth system and represented their first team, so I’m looking forward to working with him.’
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraolaplaceholder image
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola | AFP via Getty Images
Andoni Iraola after asking Chambers to play at centre-back v Wrexham in pre-season
‘Chambers playing as a centre-back against big bodies, he covered very well and played very well from the back.
‘Luke Chambers played there, he is not a centre-back, but he played really, really well.’
Luke Chambers on his pre-season minutes for Liverpool and aims for the future
‘I got my first taste of Championship minutes last year, so a base for tests like this and to show that I’m at this level and hopefully I can push on past that level,’ he said.
‘It’s just about showing myself and showcasing what I can do in my skillset. Last year was really good for me.’
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