Liverpool made a dramatic deadline-day attempt to sign Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto on loan, but the move collapsed after the London club insisted on a permanent transfer. According to French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, the Anfield club sought a temporary deal with no obligation to buy, but Chelsea refused to sanction a loan departure for the 23-year-old defender to a direct Premier League rival.
Why Liverpool's Gusto bid collapsed
As first reported by Fabrice Hawkins, Liverpool's financial flexibility was heavily constrained following their major summer business. The club completed the signing of forward Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee rising to £123 million (£106 million initial fee plus £17 million in add-ons) on a five-year contract. Hawkins stated: "Liverpool made a final push today to sign Malo Gusto on loan, but the attempt ended without success. The Reds were only willing to consider a loan with no mandatory buy clause, while Chelsea were pushing for a permanent transfer. Liverpool simply don’t have the financial means to make a permanent deal happen." Chelsea had previously established a £75 million valuation for the French defender when Manchester City inquired about his availability earlier in the summer transfer window.
Defensive depth concerns for Andoni Iraola
The late approach for Gusto highlights Liverpool's pressing need for defensive reinforcement under head coach Andoni Iraola. Northern Irish right-back Conor Bradley was ruled out long-term after undergoing major knee surgery in January 2026. This left Iraola short of natural depth on the right side of his back four. Commenting on Liverpool's defensive structure, pundit Gary Neville remarked on the Sky Sports broadcast: "What's the most bizarre is that they haven't signed a left-back and right-back... If they're going to play a back four, and Kerkez and Frimpong are going to play full-backs, and they're not going to sign a holding midfield player, Liverpool are going to concede a lot of goals." With Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso retaining Gusto, Liverpool must navigate the first half of the season with their existing defensive options.
