Liverpool Target Roma’s Zeki Çelik as Defensive Injuries Force Summer Rebuild
Liverpool are lining up a summer move for AS Roma defender Zeki Çelik as the club scrambles to reinforce a backline that has been badly hit by injuries. The Turkish international is approaching the end of his contract in Rome, and with no extension agreed, he has quickly emerged as one of the most attractive low-cost defensive options in Europe.
Reports from Italy indicate that Liverpool have already opened formal lines of communication to explore the full-back’s willingness to switch to Anfield at the end of the season. With his deal due to expire in June, Çelik is free to negotiate directly with foreign clubs, putting Liverpool in a strong position if they decide to push ahead.
Right-Back Depth Under Severe Strain
The timing of Liverpool’s interest is no coincidence. Arne Slot is facing a defensive puzzle that needs resolving before the next campaign kicks off, particularly on the right side of defence.
– Conor Bradley has suffered a serious injury that is expected to keep him out for a significant portion of the 2026/27 season. The Northern Ireland international had been earmarked as a key rotational option and long-term successor at right-back, but his setback leaves a glaring hole in the squad.
– Jeremie Frimpong, signed amid great excitement in the summer, has struggled to build rhythm due to persistent fitness problems. His pace and attacking flair remain major assets, but the coaching staff are increasingly aware that relying solely on him could be risky over a long, intense campaign.
This combination of injuries and inconsistency has pushed Liverpool towards the market for a steady, experienced defender who can slot in immediately and maintain the team’s tactical structure.
Why Çelik Fits Liverpool’s Profile
At 28, Zeki Çelik is considered to be in the prime years of his career. He first made his name at Lille, where he played a key role in the club’s unexpected Ligue 1 title triumph, earning plaudits for his defensive discipline and engine on the flank. His subsequent move to Roma further tested him at a high tactical level in Serie A, a league renowned for its defensive sophistication.
His profile suits Liverpool for several reasons:
– Defensive reliability: Çelik is known more for his solidity than for flashy attacking runs. In a side that often commits numbers forward, having a full-back who reads danger and maintains positional discipline is vital.
– Big-game experience: He has played in European competitions and title races, meaning the pressure of high-stakes fixtures will not be unfamiliar.
– Tactical flexibility: Capable of operating as a traditional right-back, a more conservative full-back in a back four, or even as a wing-back when required, he offers versatility that coaches value during long seasons packed with fixtures.
Given Liverpool’s shift between different shapes and pressing structures in recent years, a player who can interpret multiple roles on the right side of defence is particularly attractive.
A Potential Free-Transfer Masterstroke
From a financial perspective, Çelik represents the type of opportunity elite clubs are increasingly keen to exploit. Because his contract runs out in June, Liverpool do not need to negotiate a transfer fee with Roma if they wait until the end of the season. Instead, they can agree a pre-contract arrangement directly with the player and his representatives.
For Liverpool, the advantages are obvious:
– No transfer fee: Funds can be reserved for other priority positions, such as centre-back, defensive midfield, or forward reinforcements.
– Low risk: Even if Çelik ultimately becomes a rotation player rather than an undisputed starter, acquiring him on a free deal dramatically reduces the financial gamble.
– Resale potential: A well-performing, experienced international defender arriving for nothing could still be sold later for a profit, should squad needs change.
From Roma’s standpoint, it leaves them facing the likely scenario of losing a useful squad member without compensation, but their inability to secure a renewal has opened the door for Liverpool and other suitors.
The Biggest Step of Çelik’s Career
For Çelik himself, a move to Liverpool would mark the most significant leap of his club career. Roma are a respected European side with a passionate fanbase and demanding environment, but Liverpool regularly compete for Premier League titles and aim to go deep into the Champions League.
Joining such a club would mean:
– Consistent exposure to elite competition: Weekly battles against some of the best attackers in the world in England, plus the European stage.
– Working under a tactically demanding coach: Arne Slot’s football is based on intensity, structure and intelligent pressing, a system in which a switched-on full-back can thrive.
– Enhanced international profile: A strong spell at Anfield could further cement Çelik’s status within the Turkish national team and raise his global reputation.
For a player already established as a reliable top-flight defender, this would be a chance to show he can perform at the very summit of the club game.
How He Could Be Used at Anfield
If the deal materialises, Liverpool would gain a defender who offers immediate cover and competition in several scenarios:
1. Rotation with Jeremie Frimpong
While Frimpong provides electrifying attacking output, Çelik could be deployed in matches where defensive control is prioritised — for instance away games against strong opponents or ties where Liverpool need to protect a narrow lead.
2. Cover During Injury Spells
Given the intense schedule, more injuries and suspensions are almost inevitable. Çelik’s durability and experience would enable Slot to field a competent backline even in the absence of first-choice players.
3. Option in Tactical Switches
In systems that shift from a back four in possession to a back three during build-up, a full-back who is comfortable defending deep and tucking inside becomes essential. Çelik’s Serie A schooling gives him a good foundation for such positional demands.
4. Mentor for Younger Players
With younger talents like Bradley recovering and aiming to re-establish themselves, an older, battle-tested professional in the same role can be a valuable reference point on and off the training ground.
Balancing Defensive Stability and Attacking Ambition
Liverpool’s recent evolution underlines the importance of balance on the flanks. In previous seasons, full-backs were almost auxiliary playmakers, constantly overlapping and delivering from wide areas. As tactical trends shift, there is growing recognition that at least one full-back often needs to provide a more cautious, stabilising presence to protect against counter-attacks.
Çelik naturally leans toward this more conservative interpretation of the role. While he can contribute going forward, his greatest strengths lie in timing tackles, blocking passing lanes and making smart decisions in one-on-one situations. That profile would complement more attack-minded teammates and help the team keep its structure during transitions.
Competition From Other Clubs
Liverpool are unlikely to be alone in their pursuit. An experienced, 28-year-old international defender available on a free transfer is bound to draw interest across Europe. Clubs in need of depth at right-back or operating with tighter transfer budgets will view him as a strategic acquisition.
This raises several factors that could influence Çelik’s decision:
– Guaranteed minutes vs. competing at the top: Some suitors might offer him an automatic starting role, while at Liverpool he would face tough competition but enjoy a higher ceiling in terms of trophies.
– Tactical fit: Players at this stage of their careers often weigh up how well their strengths suit a coach’s system. Liverpool’s intense style requires high concentration, stamina and quick decision-making.
– Contract length and role: The length of the deal, salary package and clarity over his status in the squad will all play a part.
Liverpool’s ability to present a clear long-term plan — not just for the team, but for Çelik’s role within it — could be decisive.
What This Move Says About Liverpool’s Transfer Strategy
Targeting Çelik fits into a broader pattern in Liverpool’s recruitment: combine high-profile signings with shrewd, cost-efficient additions who fill specific tactical needs.
The potential deal highlights a few key strategic principles:
– Value in the free-agent market: Instead of overpaying for depth, identify out-of-contract players who can raise the floor of the squad.
– Experience in key positions: In roles where a single mistake can be costly — such as full-back in a high line — seasoned professionals are often preferred over raw prospects.
– Short- and medium-term problem solving: While Liverpool continue to monitor younger talents, signings like Çelik can bridge the gap during injury crises and transition phases.
Rather than a marquee arrival, this would be a calculated, practical move to secure stability at the back.
Impact on the Existing Defensive Hierarchy
Should Çelik arrive, questions will inevitably be asked about how the right side of defence will be structured:
– Frimpong would likely remain the first-choice option when fully fit, especially in games where Liverpool expect to dominate possession and territory.
– Çelik could start in more balanced or defensive fixtures, rotate in congested periods, and step in during any further injury absences.
– Bradley would be given time to recover fully without pressure to rush back, before gradually re-entering the competition for minutes once his fitness and sharpness return.
This layered approach — star, experienced deputy, and younger talent — is common among top sides seeking both immediate results and long-term continuity.
A Crucial Few Months Ahead
The coming months will be pivotal. Liverpool must decide how aggressively to pursue an agreement with Çelik, knowing that delay could open the door to rival clubs. For the player, the decision will shape the peak years of his career.
If an agreement is reached, Liverpool would secure a seasoned, intelligent defender at minimal cost, addressing a clear weakness in the squad while preserving resources for other areas. For Çelik, it would be the culmination of a steady rise through European football and a chance to prove that he can handle the demands of one of the most intense environments in the game.
As Liverpool look to rebuild and reinforce ahead of another gruelling season, the pursuit of Zeki Çelik encapsulates their aim: maintain ambition at the highest level while remaining sharp, pragmatic and opportunistic in the transfer market.