Liverpool’s centre-back situation has changed dramatically after a difficult start to pre-season. Virgil van Dijk missed the US tour, while injuries to Jérémy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni left Andoni Iraola short of options. Joe Gomez then picked up an injury of his own, forcing Liverpool to rely on Mor Talla Ndiaye, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Luke Chambers.
Ndukwe’s visa situation meant he was unlikely to be available for the new season, making the defensive shortage even more concerning. However, the situation has since improved considerably.
Araujo arrival changes everything
Jacquet has now returned and made his unofficial debut, Van Dijk is back with the squad, and Liverpool have completed the season-long loan signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona.
With Leoni also expected to return eventually from his ACL injury, Iraola suddenly has plenty of options at centre-back.
Araujo’s arrival, reportedly costing Liverpool around £180,000 per week, also appears to have ended their immediate pursuit of PSG defender Illia Zabarnyi.
Liverpool unlikely to sign Zabarnyi
According to TEAMtalk, it would now take something extraordinary for Liverpool to bring Zabarnyi to Anfield this summer.
The 23-year-old has previously worked under Iraola at Bournemouth and has been linked with a move back to the Premier League. However, Liverpool already have Araujo, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Leoni and Gomez competing for defensive places.
Zabarnyi is believed to want regular first-team football, meaning Liverpool would need to make room in the squad before considering such a deal. With competition already fierce and Araujo recently arriving, the PSG defender is reportedly no longer a priority.
Zabarnyi remains a long-term option
Zabarnyi joined Bournemouth from Dynamo Kyiv in 2023 and quickly became an important figure under Iraola. He then moved to PSG in the summer of 2025 for around £57m.
However, his playing time in Paris has not always been consistent under Luis Enrique, leading to speculation about a possible Premier League return.
A reunion with Iraola at Liverpool could still happen, but it now appears more realistic next summer. By then, Van Dijk and Gomez could both be out of contract, while Araujo is expected to return to Barcelona once his loan expires.
