By OkayGoal 
Liverpool are setting their sights on Borussia Dortmund’s imposing centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck as they search for solutions to their increasingly fragile defence, according to transfer insider Ekrem Konur.
Defensive Crisis Deepens Despite Summer Spending
Despite significant summer investment that brought Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong to Merseyside, the Reds find themselves in troubling form. Just one victory in their last six matches tells the story of a team desperately searching for defensive stability under Arne Slot.
The centre-back position has become a glaring weak spot. Ibrahima Konate’s alarming dip in form, combined with 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk showing signs that Father Time waits for no defender, has forced Liverpool’s recruitment team into action. The answer might just lie in Germany.
Why Schlotterbeck Stands Out
Since swapping Freiburg for Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park in 2022, the 6ft 3in colossus has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s premier defenders. Under Niko Kovač, he’s been absolutely instrumental, helping Dortmund concede just 11 goals this season—the second-best record in Germany’s top flight.
Konur’s latest report suggests Liverpool have registered concrete interest in bringing Schlotterbeck to Anfield in 2026, though they’ll face fierce competition. Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are all circling, which could spark a bidding war well above his £34m Transfermarkt valuation.
The Perfect Van Dijk Successor?
Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities were laid bare in that gut-wrenching 3-3 draw with Leeds United, where a 2-0 lead evaporated and a 99th-minute equaliser shattered hopes even after Szoboszlai’s strike had seemingly sealed victory.
Schlotterbeck offers everything modern Premier League football demands: exceptional ball-playing ability, rock-solid defensive instincts, and the physical presence to dominate English strikers. With three years remaining on his Dortmund contract, he represents both an immediate upgrade and a long-term successor to Van Dijk’s throne.
The question isn’t whether Liverpool need him—it’s whether they can beat Europe’s elite to his signature.