Liverpool have reportedly monitored Georgian wonderkid Saba Kharebashvili amidst interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Reds are currently 13 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League, are in the EFL Cup final and are one of the favourites to win the Champions League.
Boss Arne Slot has achieved his success this season despite only adding Federico Chiesa to his squad last summer, but the Italian forward has only featured in three league games this term, making the manager's debut season even more impressive considering he has not yet had the chance to mould the team in his image.
Though the Merseysiders could win multiple trophies this campaign, there have been some concerns about the long-term future of first-team stars like Andrew Robertson, who has come under scrutiny for his performances at left-back.
Anfield Watch claim that Liverpool are ahead of both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the race to sign 16-year-old left-back Saba Kharebashvili from Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi.
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The long-term future of Andrew Robertson
Robertson at his peak was a relentless weapon for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, with the defender seen charging up the left to provide offensive support to Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.
However, the 30-year-old has at times struggled to provide the same intensity on the left flank under Slot, and his defensive instincts have seemingly regressed given he has at times found it difficult to protect his box against opposition wingers.
Though Kharebashvili would only be allowed to join up with the Reds in September 2026 when he turns 18 years old, it is understandable that the club have begun looking at successors to Robertson.
Kharebashvili became the youngest ever player to feature in a UEFA club competition when he made his debut for Dinamo Tbilisi aged just 15 years, and he has since established himself as the first choice left-back at the Georgian team.
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The future of defence at Liverpool is uncertain
Whether Liverpool would opt to sign an alternative first-team option to Robertson this summer remains to be seen, but the Scotsman is not the only defender whose future is in doubt.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of contract in the summer, and speculation that he could join Spanish giants Real Madrid for free and link up with England teammate Jude Bellingham is rife.
Captain Virgil van Dijk is also set to leave the club for free in the upcoming transfer window unless a contract extension can be agreed, though there is more optimism that the centre-back will sign a new deal compared to Alexander-Arnold.
Elsewhere, while Ibrahima Konate has been praised for his performances alongside Van Dijk this term, the Frenchman has frequently been beset by injuries, and there are concerns that he will continue to be hampered by muscle issues.
Though Slot looks likely to bring a 20th league title to Anfield this season, he could be set for a summer of upheaval in his backline.
Lewis Nolan
