I think Liverpool’s right-back situation is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Jeremie Frimpong arrived at Anfield with an outstanding reputation for his pace and attacking ability, but things haven’t quite worked out as Liverpool would have hoped. Ronald Araújo has increasingly been used in the position, while Conor Bradley’s injury has left Andoni Iraola short of dependable options.
Now another name has emerged as a possible solution.
According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Liverpool have Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu on their shortlist as they assess their future at right-back. The report also says Juventus are keen to secure the Frenchman’s long-term future amid interest from Anfield.
And I can understand why Liverpool would be interested.
Kalulu offers something different
Kalulu isn’t simply a right-back who can run up and down the touchline.
The 26-year-old is capable of playing at right-back and centre-back, giving him the sort of versatility that could be extremely useful for Iraola.
Liverpool need more than somebody who can contribute going forward. They need a defender who can give the team greater security, particularly against opponents who will look to exploit space down the flanks.
That is where Kalulu could appeal.
He has experience in different defensive roles, and his ability to move between right-back and centre-back would give Iraola more flexibility when selecting his back four.
It would also mean Liverpool wouldn’t necessarily have to make another change if injuries disrupted their defensive options.
For me, that versatility is one of the most attractive aspects of this reported interest.
Frimpong’s future is becoming an important question
Let’s be honest: Frimpong hasn’t consistently delivered what Liverpool expected when they signed him from Bayer Leverkusen.
His pace and attacking instincts are obvious, but Liverpool also need their right-back to defend reliably. There have been concerns about that side of his game, and Araújo’s performances have made the competition for the position increasingly interesting.
I’m not suggesting Frimpong has no future at Liverpool. He has qualities that could still prove valuable, and it would be premature to write him off completely.
But Liverpool have to consider every possibility.
If Iraola believes the position needs strengthening, the recruitment team must identify players who can improve the balance of the side.
Kalulu could be one of those options.
TuttoMercatoWeb reports that he is among Liverpool’s shortlisted candidates, alongside Roma’s Brazilian defender Wesley. That suggests the club may be considering more than one profile as they plan for the future at right-back.
Juventus have no intention of making it easy
There is, however, a significant complication.
Juventus want to keep Kalulu.
The report says the Italian club are working on a new contract to secure his future, with his current deal running until 2029. He has become an important part of their defensive plans, so they have little reason to welcome Liverpool’s interest.
That could make any potential deal difficult.
Liverpool might see Kalulu as an attractive option, but Juventus will want to protect their own squad. A new contract could also strengthen their position in any future negotiations.
And that is why this is worth watching rather than treating it as an imminent transfer.
There is a difference between a player appearing on a shortlist and Liverpool actually making a move.
For now, the reporting points to interest, not an agreed deal.
Would Kalulu be the right fit for Iraola?
I think there is a sensible argument for it.
Liverpool already have attacking quality in their wide positions. What they need from right-back is someone who can contribute in possession without leaving the defence exposed.
Kalulu’s ability to play centrally as well as on the right could make him particularly useful in a squad where defensive injuries have caused problems.
He would also give Iraola another option if Araújo’s loan spell ends without Liverpool making his move permanent.
That said, I wouldn’t assume Kalulu would automatically solve every problem. Moving from Serie A to the Premier League brings its own challenges, and Liverpool would need to be confident that his qualities fit the way Iraola wants his team to play.
But the profile makes sense.
Liverpool need to get this decision right
The right-back position has become one of the more interesting questions surrounding Liverpool’s squad.
Frimpong still has plenty to prove, Bradley’s fitness remains important, and Araújo has shown that a more defensively reliable option can be valuable.
Kalulu would bring versatility and experience, but Juventus are determined to keep him.
That leaves Liverpool with a decision to make about what they really want from the position.
Do they stick with Frimpong and give him more time to adapt? Do they pursue a specialist right-back? Or do they target somebody like Kalulu, who could cover more than one defensive role?
Personally, I would welcome Liverpool exploring the market if they believe they can find the right player.
The important thing is that they recruit for what the team needs, not simply for another big name.
Kalulu is an interesting option, and Juventus’ efforts to keep him suggest they value him highly.
Whether Liverpool turn that reported interest into a serious pursuit remains to be seen.
But if the Reds are planning for life beyond Frimpong, Pierre Kalulu is certainly a name worth keeping an eye on.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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