Gusto’s Chelsea itch hands Liverpool a January opening on the right
We have said for months that the right-back slot at Anfield is being managed rather than fixed, and this week’s news out of Stamford Bridge gives that argument fresh weight. According to TeamTalk, Malo Gusto is ready to push for a move away from Chelsea when the January window opens, and Liverpool are named among the clubs who could take advantage.
It is not a brand new link. Liverpool spent much of the summer scanning the market for defenders and reportedly made a late move on deadline day that came to nothing. What has changed is the player’s mindset. A footballer who wants out is a very different proposition from one a club has to prise away, and that shift could be what turns a long shot into a live option.
A position that never got properly solved
Look at the right side of our defence since Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid in 2025 and the pattern is clear. Conor Bradley has the talent to own the role, and on his day he looks every inch a Liverpool full-back, but his body keeps letting him down. Every time he builds momentum, another knock interrupts it, and you cannot plan a serious campaign around hope.
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Ronald Araujo has helped bridge the gap since arriving, bringing experience and the ability to play across the back line. Yet his long-term future here is far from settled. If the current arrangement is not made permanent, Iraola could find himself back at square one by the summer, with the same hole and fewer ways to fill it.
Then there is Joe Gomez. He has been a loyal, adaptable servant, but he is heading towards the end of his contract, and asking him to be the emergency answer in three different positions is not a long-term strategy. Good squads are built with natural options in each key role, not with a rota of willing deputies.
Why Gusto fits what Iraola is building
Andoni Iraola has not been shy about stamping his mark on recruitment since he took over in the summer. Victor Munoz’s arrival was very much his call, Jeremy Jacquet was brought in earlier, and Araujo added a layer of know-how to the defensive group. Gusto feels like a natural continuation of that thinking.
At 23, he sits in a sweet spot. He already knows the speed and physicality of the Premier League, so there is no adaptation period to worry about, yet he is young enough that his best years should still be ahead of him. For a coach whose sides press hard and ask full-backs to cover huge distances, his athleticism is a real selling point. He can defend one against one, he can get forward, and he has done both at a high level week in, week out.
Buying domestically also removes a layer of risk. We have all seen promising signings from abroad take half a season to find their feet. In a role that demands defensive discipline and attacking output in equal measure, having someone who can slot straight in matters, especially in the middle of a congested winter schedule.
The obstacles we should not ignore
This is where a dose of realism is needed. Chelsea selling a first-team regular to a direct rival in mid-season is never going to be simple. Even if they are open to letting him go, they will know exactly how much Liverpool need a right-back, and the asking price will reflect that.
The competition will not help either. Tottenham Hotspur have shown interest before, and Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Como and RB Leipzig are all said to be keeping tabs on him. If Chelsea formally put him on the market, they will be hoping that crowd drives the bidding up.
Liverpool have been sensible in recent windows. When the club believes in a player and the terms work, it moves quickly and decisively. When valuations drift into silly territory, it walks away. Our hunch is that this will follow the same script. If the fee stays reasonable, we could be right in the mix. If it turns into an auction, do not be surprised if the club looks elsewhere.
Our take
We think the interest is credible, because the need is obvious to anyone who has watched us this season. Right-back has been patched up rather than fixed, and that tends to catch up with you over a long campaign. Gusto ticks the boxes for age, experience and profile, and if Iraola sees him as the long-term answer, the club should be prepared to act in January rather than gamble on existing options staying fit until the summer.
Still, this story is at an early stage. A player wanting a move and a club being willing to sell are two separate hurdles, and both need clearing before Liverpool can get serious. For now, it is one to keep a close eye on, a promising opening rather than a done deal. We would love to see it happen, but we are not getting carried away just yet.