Danny Murphy identifies Liverpool’s defensive transfer problem ahead of 2027 windows

Liverpool could have another defensive rebuild on their hands in 2027, with former midfielder Danny Murphy warning that the club still have significant questions to answer at full-back.

The Reds opted against adding another full-back during the summer transfer window, while their defensive options have already been tested by injuries, positional changes and the impending departure of Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk is set to leave Liverpool as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season, meaning the club will eventually have to find a replacement for one of the most important defenders in their modern history.

However, Murphy believes Liverpool’s biggest concern could actually lie at full-back.

Van Dijk’s Liverpool farewell is approaching

Van Dijk is now entering the final season of his Liverpool contract and is expected to leave Anfield when the deal expires.

The Dutch defender will depart at the age of 35 after nine years at the club, having established himself as one of Liverpool’s most influential players during the Premier League and Champions League era.

Replacing his leadership and defensive quality will be a major task.

Liverpool have already begun preparing for the future with the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, while 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni is also viewed as a potential long-term option despite currently recovering from an ACL injury.

Ronald Araujo has also arrived from Barcelona on loan and has been used at right-back, although the Uruguay international is naturally more comfortable in central defence.

Araujo could be an option at centre-back

Araujo’s versatility has given Liverpool another option while the club assesses its defensive structure.

The 27-year-old has been deployed at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong struggling to establish himself in a conventional defensive role.

That has inevitably raised the question of whether Liverpool could attempt to sign Araujo permanently and eventually use him as a replacement for Van Dijk.

Murphy, however, believes Liverpool should keep their options open.

“I think the club will be assessing Araujo game-in, game-out, week-to-week,” Murphy told GOAL.

“I don’t think they’ll be necessarily thinking he’s the one to come in and take Van Dijk’s place because of his age. I think they’ll always be open-minded to what else is out there.”

Murphy raises concerns over Liverpool’s full-backs

While Araujo could potentially solve one defensive problem, Murphy believes Liverpool have a bigger issue on the flanks.

The former Reds midfielder argues that attacking full-backs have historically been a crucial part of Liverpool’s success.

“The full-backs at the moment aren’t good enough with the ball and that’s a real problem,” Murphy said.

Liverpool’s system has traditionally relied heavily on full-backs providing width and attacking threat, particularly when opponents crowd the centre of the pitch.

Murphy believes that dynamic has become even more important as modern teams increasingly defend centrally and leave space in wide areas.

“The space will come in wide areas and teams will defend the middle of the pitch,” he explained.

“So, the full-backs are getting lots and lots of the ball, the numbers tell you that. And the end product of Frimpong and [Milos] Kerkez is certainly not up to the level Liverpool need.”

Frimpong and Kerkez still have questions to answer

Murphy was particularly critical of the attacking output Liverpool are currently getting from Frimpong and Kerkez.

The former Leverkusen wing-back arrived at Anfield with a reputation for attacking football but has been asked to operate in a more conventional right-back role.

Murphy believes that change of position needs to be considered when assessing Frimpong’s performances.

“The argument for Frimpong, he never really did play as a right-back, so what was the thinking behind that?” Murphy said.

“That’s a fair argument and I feel for him a little bit at times. I’m not just digging him out. He’s played the best season of his career in a different position than he’s been asked to play when he’s come to one of the hardest leagues in the world.”

However, Murphy also questioned whether Liverpool can sacrifice attacking quality at full-back simply to gain more defensive security.

His conclusion was that the current options have not yet provided a clear solution.

Could Liverpool enter the market in January?

Araujo has demonstrated that he can provide defensive stability from the right, but Murphy does not view him as the type of attacking full-back Liverpool have traditionally relied upon.

The Uruguay international did produce an important contribution in the build-up to Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal against Atletico Madrid, but his primary strengths remain defensive.

“I don’t think, although Araujo does it really comfortably because he’s got a defensive mind and I know he had the wonderful flick against Atletico for Szoboszlai for his assist, but generally you wouldn’t class him as a marauding full-back who’s going to whip crosses in and create goals,” Murphy said.

For that reason, he believes Liverpool should continue looking at the position rather than waiting until the end of the season.

“So, I think it’s a definite area for Liverpool to look at, even in January.”

With Van Dijk’s departure approaching and questions still surrounding the full-back positions, Liverpool could therefore have several defensive decisions to make across the next two transfer windows.