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Liverpool weigh Schlotterbeck move as Van Dijk succession planning gathers pace

Liverpool’s long-term defensive planning is beginning to sharpen into focus, with Nico Schlotterbeck emerging as a serious candidate as the club assesses how best to manage the eventual transition away from Virgil van Dijk.

Multiple factors are converging at Anfield. Contract situations, squad balance and age profiles are all under review, and while there is no suggestion of immediate upheaval, senior figures inside the club are increasingly aware that decisions taken over the next two transfer windows will shape Liverpool’s defence for the remainder of the decade.

Schlotterbeck, the Borussia Dortmund and Germany centre-back, is one of several elite-level options being closely monitored as part of that process.

Liverpool defensive planning enters decisive phase

Liverpool’s centre-back group is entering a period of uncertainty. Van Dijk remains the cornerstone of the defence, but with his contract running down and no final resolution yet agreed, the club must prepare for multiple scenarios. Alongside that, Ibrahima Konaté’s own contractual situation adds further complexity, while injuries elsewhere have already exposed the thin margins within the squad.

The recruitment team, led by sporting director Richard Hughes, is understood to be prioritising defenders who can operate comfortably in multiple systems, according to Bild. That flexibility is a key requirement under Arne Slot, whose tactical framework places heavy demands on defenders in both possession and transition.

This context explains Liverpool’s interest in Schlotterbeck, a player whose profile aligns closely with those internal benchmarks.

Schlotterbeck profile fits Slot requirements

At 26, Schlotterbeck is entering his prime years and offers a blend of physical presence, tactical intelligence and technical quality. Predominantly left-footed, he is comfortable operating as a left-sided centre-back in a back four or as part of a three, giving Liverpool options across different game states.

At Dortmund, Schlotterbeck has been tasked with progressive build-up responsibilities, regularly stepping into midfield zones and breaking opposition lines with forward passing. That attribute is particularly valued at Liverpool, where central defenders are expected to initiate attacks rather than simply recycle possession.

Defensively, Schlotterbeck is aggressive without being reckless, strong in aerial duels and proactive in stepping out to intercept. While he does not replicate van Dijk’s unique dominance one-for-one, Liverpool are not necessarily seeking a carbon copy. Instead, the emphasis is on assembling a defence capable of evolving beyond a single focal point.

Transfer cost remains significant obstacle

Any move for Schlotterbeck would come at a substantial financial cost. Dortmund are under no pressure to sell, with the player contracted until 2027, and sources in Germany indicate a transfer fee in the region of €50m would be required just to open negotiations.

When salary, signing bonuses and agent fees are factored in, the total package could approach €125m over the course of a five-year deal. That level of investment would place Schlotterbeck among the most expensive defensive signings in Liverpool’s history.

Liverpool are traditionally disciplined when it comes to valuation and will only proceed if the deal aligns with their broader financial model. That may mean waiting for the right timing, either through market movement or contractual developments elsewhere in the squad.

Van Dijk future shapes Liverpool strategy

The future of van Dijk remains a pivotal variable. Internally, there is still admiration for his leadership, durability and influence, even as he moves deeper into his thirties. A short-term extension has not been ruled out, which would allow Liverpool to phase in a successor rather than forcing an abrupt transition.

In that scenario, Schlotterbeck would not be viewed as a direct replacement but as part of a wider defensive refresh, reducing reliance on any single individual. Liverpool’s recent recruitment history suggests they favour staggered evolution rather than wholesale change.

Whether that evolution includes Schlotterbeck will depend on timing, price and opportunity. What is clear is that Liverpool’s planning around van Dijk is already well advanced, and the club is determined to stay ahead of the curve rather than react to it.

As ever at Anfield, patience will be key. But the interest in Schlotterbeck underlines a simple truth: Liverpool are already building for life after van Dijk, even while he remains central to their present.