Eintracht Frankfurt v 1. FC Köln - Bundesliga 2026/27
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Liverpool need to make some decisions in their defence in 2027, with some big changes potentially coming down the line.
The key to just how much needs doing is whether Virgil van Dijk signs a new contract or leaves on a free, but Liverpool need to do business regardless of the outcome over their captain.
Joe Gomez is also out of contract and will almost certainly leave, with his profile as versatile defender capable of playing at centre-back or full-back badly needing to be replaced. Ronald Araujo could be signed permanently, but reports from Germany claim that Liverpool also have eyes on Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins as a potential new addition.
Alisson and Virgil van Dijk have made costly mistakes in recent weeks. What should Liverpool do with the pair now that their contracts are set to run out in the summer?
Keep Allison but get rid of Van Dijk?Let both go
@auntylizard1 How many world class goalies are out there at the moment though? Not many at all who aren't already 30 or over
@kujabisamateh Harsh that. How have both cost us trophies? Both have won us a fair few! We need to be careful what we wish for, think we'll only realise just how good they both have been once they're not here anymore
Keep VVD he is still giving his all for the club. Alisson is becoming a bit of a liability and not at his prime but I am not keen on Marmite I think we should invest in a world class goalie who is in his prime.
Liverpool keen on Nnamdi Collins
Liverpool fans would love the Reds to sign Araujo, but the reality is that the Uruguayan may be seen as poor value for money at £47m.
Though he has the benefit of being proven at Anfield already, the recruitment team may decide that spending that kind of money on a player who will be 28 next summer might not be the best course of action.
Capable of playing at centre-back, right-back and even left-back, Collins would represent a younger, higher potential option for Liverpool.
According to Fussball News, the Reds have been regularly scouting the 22-year-old for club and country in recent times, and having been impressed by his performances for Eintracht, as well as with the Germany U21s, they have subsequently decided to put him on their shortlist for next summer.
Interest in Collins is said to be strong, with Man United and Chelsea also keen on signing him. Eintracht are reportedly not interested in selling the former Borussia Dortmund man during the January window, but could consider a sale at the end of the campaign. It’s claimed that a fee of around £25m could tempt the Bundesliga side into selling next year.
For that kind of fee, it is easy to see why Liverpool could consider Collins as an alternative to Araujo. His progress at Eintracht has been steady and impressive, with former manager Dino Toppmoller highlighting just how good the youngster could be back in 2024.
“Nnamdi is a little machine,” Toppmoller said of the not so little 6 feet 2 inch defender. “The way he challenges for the ball and the stability and power he can develop, also going forward. That gives us a lot at the moment. He brings a lot of energy onto the pitch.”
“He is flexible, robust and quick,” then sporting director Markus Krosche added. “Nnamdi can play at right-back, but also at centre-back. His physical abilities help him.”
Soon, they could be helping Liverpool, with Collins one of the names to watch as the Reds complete their defensive rebuild in 2027.