Liverpool defender makes transfer exit despite Arne Slot needing reinforcements

Liverpool has sent Calum Scanlon on loan to Cardiff and is pursuing Lutsharel Geertruida on loan, as Arne Slot addresses a growing defensive injury crisis at Anfield

Arne Slot needs defensive reinforcements(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool has loaned out Calum Scanlon to Cardiff, though Arne Slot has a strategy in place to tackle the team's defensive injury crisis.

The Reds are desperately short at the back with Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, and Giovanni Leoni all on the treatment table. Liverpool boss Slot had no choice but to include several youngsters on the bench for Saturday's 4-1 victory over Newcastle.

With Frimpong and Bradley ruled out of the Premier League game, Dominik Szoboszlai was pressed into service at right-back once more, alongside Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez in the back four.

Liverpool's pursuit of Marc Guehi fell through on deadline day last September, with the Crystal Palace defender subsequently joining Manchester City earlier this month.

The shortage of defensive options has been a glaring problem for Liverpool this season as injuries have taken their toll. Despite this, the Merseyside club has opted to send Scanlon to Cardiff for the remainder of the season.

The 20-year-old full-back has only just recovered from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with Liverpool's U21s and has been dispatched to the League One team for match experience, having previously had a loan spell with Millwall.

Lutsharel Geertruida is not heading to Anfield(Image: Getty Images)

He arrived at Liverpool from Birmingham City in February 2021 and has managed just two first-team appearances to date. Liverpool is eager to secure a new signing before Monday's transfer deadline and tried to bring Lutsharel Geertruida to Anfield on loan.

Geertruida is currently on loan at Sunderland from parent club RB Leipzig. The Reds were hoping to persuade Sunderland to cut his loan spell short, paving the way for a last-minute move to Anfield.

The Dutch defender was previously a crucial player and vice-captain under Slot at Feyenoord and offers tactical versatility, capable of operating as a right-back, center-back, or defensive midfielder.

Yet it's believed Sunderland has no interest in letting Geertruida join Liverpool at this late stage in the transfer window. He has featured in 17 Premier League matches for Sunderland this term.

"I think we are trying to strengthen the squad and not trying to weaken it," Slot said following Saturday's victory over Newcastle. "But yeah, 48 hours to go. Let's see where the window ends up."

Meanwhile, speculation has emerged linking Curtis Jones with a potential move to Inter Milan, though Liverpool is reluctant to allow any departures mid-season when it cannot bring in replacements.

"I think there's always a lot of talk about Liverpool and a lot of talks about Liverpool players," Slot said when questioned about Jones.

"There was a lot of noise around the club in the last week – maybe I should say weeks – but I think our fans showed today what noise really means. That's being loud, because they were so helpful today. That is what noise is here in Liverpool."