Defender to follow in Klopp's footsteps - from Dortmund to Liverpool?
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 17.10.25. | 15:40
After the 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni tore his ACL, the Reds allegedly found a replacement for him and a future successor of Virgil van Dijk at Signal Iduna Park
Liverpool's initial plan to develop their recent reinforcement, Giovanni Leoni, and make him a new Virgil van Dijk has failed, as the 18-year-old tore his ACL on his debut. Still, the Reds wouldn't be a serious club and football giants if they didn't have a plan B.
Namely, according to BILD, Liverpool have eyed Borussia Dortmund's centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck and are considering making a move for him already in January! The management at Anfield reportedly sees the German as Van Dijk's successor, while Leoni's injury could further accelerate the transfer.
🚨💣 𝗡𝗘𝗪 - @BILD: Nico Schlotterbeck has ruled out an immediate extension at Borussia Dortmund — Liverpool are now considering a January bid or summer move as they see him as a potential Van Dijk successor and Leoni’s injury might accelerate this transfer. pic.twitter.com/XfyNfuH2v1
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) October 16, 2025
Additionally, BILD claims that Schlotterbeck ruled out an immediate contract extension with the BVB, which many considered proof that "there's smoke." Yet, we'll have to wait until the start of the January Transfer Window to see whether "there's fire" as well.
Either way, the defender's deal with his current club expires in two years, and Liverpool would have to splurge at least €40 million for his move to Anfield. And they could really use him...
Considering Leoni's injury and Ibrahima Konate's "flirt" with Real Madrid, as well as the fact that - apart from the two - Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and the inexperienced Rhys Williams are the only remaining centre-backs in Arne Slot's squad, Schlotterbeck would be a massive reinforcement on so many levels.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 8
Saturday
14.30: (3.70) Nottingham Forest (3.50) Chelsea (2.00)
17.00: (2.65) Brighton (3.20) Newcastle (2.75)
17.00: (3.25) Burnley (3.25) Leeds (2.30)
17.00: (2.25) Crystal Palace (3.40) Bournemouth (3.20)
17.00: (1.40) Manchester City (4.60) Everton (8.00)
17.00: (2.50) Sunderland (3.10) Wolverhampton (3.05)
19.30: (6.00) Fulham (3.90) Arsenal (1.58)
Sunday
16.00: (2.15) Tottenham (3.45) Aston Villa (3.35)
18.30: (1.63) Liverpool (4.00) Manchester Utd. (5.30)
Monday
22.00: (2.55) West Ham (3.30) Brentford (2.80)
***odds are subject to change***
