Liverpool continue to monitor the transfer market after winning just four of their opening eight league games this season. Andoni Iraola’s side is looking to strengthen the defence in the next two transfer windows after bolstering their attack last summer.
With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez approaching the final stages of their Liverpool careers, the club is actively looking for a quality centre-back. Nottingham Forest’s Murillo is the latest name linked to Liverpool after establishing himself as one of the best young defenders in the Premier League.
Pete O’Rourke of FootballInsider reports that Liverpool have shortlisted the Brazilian centre-back as a potential successor to van Dijk. It is also reported that Murillo is highly admired by Liverpool chiefs and is being monitored by the club.
🚨 Liverpool are monitoring Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo as they assess defensive targets for the upcoming transfer windows. The Brazilian is among several high-level options being considered as Liverpool prepare to prioritise the signing of a centre-back. Murillo’s Premier League experience makes him one of the alternatives on Liverpool’s defensive shortlist. ℹ️ Source: @footyinsider247
— FootballBuzzer.Com (@FootBuzzdotcom) October 26, 2026
The Reds are yet to decide on van Dijk’s future amidst the player’s decline in form. The club legend will be 36 before the start of the next season, so identifying his successor has become a priority for the manager, Andoni Iraola and the sporting director, Julian Ward.
Jeremey Jacquet, who arrived in the summer for £60 million, has done well at Anfield, partnering van Dijk at the centre of the defence. However, the club is lacking depth in the back beyond Jacquet. With youngster Giovanni Leoni struggling with a long-term injury and Barcelona loanee Ronald Araujo playing in the right-back position, Liverpool are an injury away from a disaster.
At 24, Murillo fits Liverpool’s preference and need for signing a player with Premier League experience, without significant transfer value. The player has already proved his ability to cope with the physical demands of English football, which gives him an edge over Liverpool’s overseas centre-back targets.
Murillo arrived at Nottingham Forest in August 2023, and recently played his 100th league game last week. The 24-year-old has been a regular performer for the Forest, winning the club Player of the Season award two seasons ago. In the 2024-25 season, he recorded more clearances than any other player in the Premier League, attracting interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Pete O’Rourke’s report also claims that the Reds have identified three more defenders to fill van Dijk’s shoes at Anfield next season. Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde join Murillo’s in Liverpool’s shortlist. The report further adds that Liverpool are reportedly looking to make Araujo’s stay permanent after the player’s impressive spell in the right-back position.
