Liverpool’s recent injury crisis at right-back has naturally sparked transfer speculation, but one name being mentioned raises more questions than answers: Denzel Dumfries.

Following Jeremie Frimpong’s groin injury sustained during Liverpool’s midweek Champions League victory over Qarabag, the Reds have found themselves dangerously short of options on the right side of defence. With Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Joe Gomez all sidelined, Arne Slot’s squad depth in that area is stretched thin.

According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Liverpool have made a preliminary enquiry to Inter Milan about Dumfries. The Dutch international’s physical presence, attacking instincts, and extensive European experience are believed to be the main attractions. However, at this stage, any potential move is described as exploratory, and heavily dependent on the severity of Frimpong’s injury.

The Big Problem: Availability

On the surface, Dumfries might look like a logical short-term fix. Dig deeper, though, and the idea quickly falls apart.

The 29-year-old has been out since November after undergoing ankle surgery, a setback that has already ruled him out of more than 25 matches this season. While there has been encouraging news recently — with Dumfries returning to Inter’s training base earlier than expected — he is still not match-ready.

Current projections suggest his earliest possible comeback could be late February, with Inter targeting the Champions League play-off second leg around February 24–25. Even in the most optimistic scenario, he would still need additional time to rebuild full fitness and sharpness.

A Risk Liverpool Can’t Afford

With the January transfer window rapidly closing, Liverpool’s priority is clear: they need a right-back who can contribute immediately. Signing a player who is unavailable for weeks — and potentially months — does little to address the urgent gap in Slot’s squad.

In short, while Dumfries may tick boxes in terms of experience and profile, his current injury situation makes him an impractical option for a club seeking instant solutions. For Liverpool, a move like this would feel more like a gamble than a fix — and one that makes very little sense given the circumstances.

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