Richard Hughes will get Liverpool transfer decision from defender soon: 'We're stepping on the gas'

Liverpool's defensive line has taken some major hits this season.

Although their performances last term were fairly strong, it's clear that they need to regain some confidence ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Indeed, a few new defensive players have been brought in by Arne Slot and, now that they're getting used to the way that the Reds play, it's clear that things can only get better from here.

However, with the future of Ibrahima Konate still undecided and Liverpool only having one more guaranteed year of Virgil van Dijk left, some succession plans need to be put into place.

Several names have already been suggested as transfer targets for Liverpool in the summer and with Marc Guehi and Dayot Upamecano now off the market, their options are wearing thin.

Borussia Dortmund are 'stepping on the gas' to get Nico Schlotterbeck's contract extension signed

Nico Schlotterbeck is another defender who Liverpool have been consistently linked with this season.

The defender can play as a left-back or a centre-back and with Andy Robertson likely to leave at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, the German would be an ideal option for Slot and Richard Hughes to bring in.

His contract is set to expire in June 2027 and, since he's not yet extended his contract with Borussia Dortmund, the defender could be available for a cut-rate fee in the summer.

The fact that he hasn't signed an extension keeps the door open for Liverpool to swoop in but, as per the latest update from German outlet Bulli News, it seems like Schlotterbeck's decision about his future could come sooner than many think.

"I’m a fan of clarity in all areas. Sometimes you have to be patient, sometimes you make your own decisions, and in other situations, you depend on the other side," Borussia Dortmund's sporting director Sebastian Kehl said.

"We're stepping on the gas, Nico knows that we want a decision as soon as possible!"

Liverpool wouldn't be able to do much better than Nico Schlotterbeck

Over the last couple of years, Schlotterbeck has cemented himself in Dortmund's starting XI and has quickly become a fan favourite.

The German is only 26 years old which means that he still has plenty of time before his performance levels start regressing.

Schlotterbeck has played 26 games across all competitions this term and he has managed to contribute to five goals during that time.

The defender has spent the entirety of his career in Germany and, even though Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the centre-back, it feels like Liverpool could have a really strong chance of getting the transfer over the line.

The Reds may have five senior centre-back options available to them next season when everyone is fit but, with the injury history of Joe Gomez and the inexperience of Giovanni Leoni, bringing in another player with plenty of Champions League experience could be key to their future success.

A price for any potential deal hasn't been shared just yet but, since the Reds have already spent a hefty chunk of change on Jeremy Jacquet, there's no reason why a little bit more can't be spent on securing the future of their defence, especially after some of their performances this term.

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