Schlotterbeck injury clouds Liverpool transfer pursuit after Germany's World Cup comeback

Nico Schlotterbeck’s participation in the 2026 World Cup is in serious doubt after the Borussia Dortmund centre-back was forced off at half-time of Germany’s group-stage victory over Ivory Coast with a suspected medial ligament injury — a setback that could also complicate a summer transfer to Liverpool or one of several other top clubs chasing his signature.

The 26-year-old picked up the knock inside the opening 15 minutes but managed to see out the first half before being replaced by Antonio Rüdiger for the second period. Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann delivered a cautious assessment after the match. “He has something with his medial ligament, he has to have an MRI tomorrow,” Nagelsmann said. “It doesn’t look too good — unfortunately. In the end, it is largely a tactical decision whether he can still perform. And he did very well until half-time.”

Germany were trailing at the point of Schlotterbeck’s withdrawal, with Franck Kessié having put Ivory Coast ahead. The Germans recovered to win through a brace from Deniz Undav, the second of which came deep into added time, securing their place in the knockout rounds.

The injury arrives at a delicate moment in the transfer market. Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid have all been linked with Schlotterbeck, though Real Madrid are currently considered the frontrunners, having already added Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella and former Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté this summer.

For Liverpool, the immediate transfer focus under new manager Andoni Iraola appears to be further forward in the squad. A deal for young defender Jeremy Jacquet has already been agreed, and a second improved offer for Ivory Coast midfielder Yan Diomandé — who also featured in the same match — is expected after a significant bid was rejected by RB Leipzig. Diomandé endured a mixed first half for Ivory Coast in the defeat.

Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven has also been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool. Spurs have since brought in Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, both of whom were believed to be of interest to the Merseyside club, raising questions over van de Ven’s future in north London.

The severity of Schlotterbeck’s injury, once confirmed by MRI, will determine both his World Cup fate and the timeline of any potential summer deal.