Liverpool had a quiet January transfer window despite struggling to maintain their high standards in their title-defending campaign.
The Reds completed a deal to sign Stade Rennais defender Jeremy Jacquet, but he will not join the club until the summer, meaning no defensive reinforcements were brought in to bolster the squad over the second half of the season.
Arne Slot had instant success in his debut season, winning the Premier League, but has since found it challenging to compete consistently over the last six months, even after a huge reinvestment into the squad in the summer.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman remains resilient and, with the Premier League title almost out of sight, is instead focusing on the FA Cup and Champions League to provide success on the red side of Merseyside in 2026.
In terms of their summer plans, it is clear that the club are keen to improve their defensive personnel and add depth to key positions.
Manchester City defender Marc Guehi had all but signed on the dotted line to move from Crystal Palace to Anfield on Deadline Day in September, before the deal fell through and paved the way for a January move to the Etihad.
Now, Liverpool will look elsewhere for the future of their centre-back partnership, but new reports insinuate that they remain insistent on adding solid Premier League experience.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are one of the clubs plotting a move for Nottingham Forest defender Murillo.
The publication claims that the Reds will have strong competition from their Premier League peers to secure his signature this summer, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also credited with interest.
It is believed that Forest would demand a hefty £50m transfer fee to part ways with their Brazilian star, and they expect him to push for a move at the end of the season.
Should Liverpool sign Murillo?
Despite the signing of Jacquet and the expected return of Giovanni Leoni in the summer, there is still definitely room for new defensive additions at Liverpool.
The future of Ibrahima Konaté remains a constant topic of discussion on Merseyside, with the Frenchman set to be a free agent in the summer.
At present, there has been no indication that the club and player are closer to reaching an agreement for him to stay, though Slot revealed last week that he is keen for him to sign a new deal.
Elsewhere, stalwart Joe Gomez’s future at the club remains uncertain.
Despite being under contract for another year, the club could look to earn a fee by parting ways with the defender before his contract expires in 2027.
As a result, there is still room for Premier League experience to be added to the defence this year, and Murillo could be exactly what Liverpool need.
The 23-year-old ace – once hailed a “powerhouse” by BBC Sport pundit Troy Deeney – has amassed 100 appearances for Forest since joining in 2023, and had an incredible impact on their success last season, earning Europa League football.
With Liverpool facing key defensive decisions and little margin for error heading into next season, the pursuit of Murillo feels like a move that could define their summer window.
His experience, age and physical presence tick many of the boxes the club appear to prioritise, but the real test will be whether they are prepared to act decisively in an increasingly competitive market.
About the Author
