Liverpool have been dealt a setback in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, as a new report claims that fellow centre-back Niklas Süle is expected to leave the German club on a free transfer this summer.
The Reds will look to avoid a seventh defeat in eight matches when they face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, though their hopes will be slim if their defensive struggles continue.
Manager Arne Slot fielded a makeshift back three in Wednesday’s 3-0 EFL Cup defeat to Crystal Palace, and even regular starters such as Ibrahima Konaté have underperformed so far in the 2025–26 season.
Liverpool are reportedly targeting defensive reinforcements, but after failing to secure Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace in the summer, rival clubs may now have the upper hand in the race for the England international.
Although Schlotterbeck has emerged as an alternative target, Ruhr Nachrichten report that Dortmund would be reluctant to sell him in January, given Süle’s impending departure at the end of the season.
Nico Schlotterbeck: Would Dortmund defender improve Liverpool’s defence?
No team in the Premier League has faced more long balls than Liverpool (571) this term, and the club have struggled to deal with opponents’ direct approach.
It should be noted that Konate and Virgil van Dijk have been excellent in the air this season, so while Schlotterbeck has won 73% of his aerial duels in the Bundesliga, he would be unlikely to improve the team’s ability to deal with second balls in midfield.
The Dortmund centre-back is excellent with possession, and given the Reds have found it difficult to play out from the back, perhaps he would help the team keep the ball and in turn face fewer counter-attacks.
However, the 25-year-old has predominantly played on the left side of defence, and he is unlikely to displace Van Dijk from that side of the pitch.
