Liverpool transfer target ruled out of rest of World Cup in devastating injury blow

Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out of the remainder of this summer’s World Cup, with any potential transfer now also in major doubt amid links with Liverpool.

Schlotterbeck has started both of Germany’s games so far at the tournament, but was forced off at half-time after receiving treatment for what looked to be an ankle injury during the first period of the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

The German Football Association (DFB) has now confirmed that the defender will miss the rest of the tournament, with manager Julian Nagelsmann revealing that he had suffered a “medial ankle ligament injury”, as well as expressing his surprise at his ability to continue playing until half-time.

A scan on Sunday revealed that the Borussia Dortmund star had torn a ligament in his left ankle, with Schlotterbeck now set to be out for several months. He will remain with his international teammates during the remainder of the World Cup though, with Germany having booked its place in the knockout stages at the weekend.

“We will miss Schlotti a great deal on the pitch as an outstanding defender, especially his excellent playmaking,” Nagelsmann said.

“This could have been his World Cup. We all tried to cheer him up yesterday – luckily, he’s a very positive guy who’s already looking ahead.

“It’s a good sign that he’s staying with the team for now, because he also has an influence off the pitch. Despite his absence, we are still very well positioned in central defense for the World Cup with Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, Waldemar Anton, and Malick Thiaw.”

News of Schlotterbeck’s long lay-off may come as a blow to Liverpool, with the defender having been linked with a move to Anfield for some time now.

Although he signed a new contract with Dortmund earlier this year, with the deal running until 2031, a release clause was included which would allow Schlotterbeck to leave the club for a fee between $58 million and $70 million. According to BILD, this clause is only available to three specific teams, and Liverpool is one of them.

The Reds could be in the market for a new center-back this summer, despite Jeremy Jacquet arriving from Rennes next month. With Ibrahima Konate completing a move to Real Madrid, Liverpool is set to go into next season with four senior options at the heart of its defense, including Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, Real Madrid is also said to be in the running for Schlotterbeck, with Spanish outlet El Debate claiming that the 25-year-old would prefer a move to the Bernabeu. Having suffered a long-term injury though, there will be major doubts about him moving this summer.