Dominik Szoboszlai fuels Nico Schlotterbeck to Liverpool speculation with new message
Dominik Szoboszlai has fuelled talk of Nico Schlotterbeck joining him at Liverpool after sending a message to the Germany star on social media.
Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back this summer as Ibrahima Konate departs at the end of his contract to join Real Madrid.
Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are set to become options for Andoni Iraola alongside Virgil van Dijk, but Joe Gomez has also been linked away and they could well sign another new defender soon.
Schlotterbeck has regularly been linked to the Reds over the last few years as he shines for Borussia Dortmund and the German national team.
Liverpool star Szoboszlai has sparked rumours of the 26-year-old being set to join him on Merseyside with a new message on Instagram.
Schlotterbeck took to the site on Monday to pen a message to Germany fans after he was forced to pull out of the World Cup through injury.
He has been ruled out of the tournament with an ankle problem, but is expected to be back in action by the end of the summer.
Dominik Szoboszlai wishes Nico Schlotterbeck well after injury update
Szoboszlai was one of Liverpool's few shining lights last season as he registered 13 goals and 12 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions.
The Hungarian arrived on Merseyside from Red Bull Leipzig in 2023 after spending two years in the Bundesliga playing against Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund defender Schlotterbeck has been a regular at the top level for several seasons now, and looked set to be a key man for Germany at the World Cup before his injury.
Sources exclusively revealed to Football Insider last month that Liverpool have Schlotterbeck on their centre-back shortlist, and his close relationship with Szoboszlai could well play a part in a potential move.
The Liverpool star wished him well with a fingers-crossed emoji in reply to his injury message on Instagram on Monday.
What has Schlotterbeck said about leaving Dortmund this summer?
Schlotterbeck extended his Dortmund contract to 2031 in April, but the inclusion of an exit clause angered some of their fans who then booed him towards the end of last season.
He was asked about his future by reporters ahead of a friendly against Finland last month, and vehemently denied that he would be playing for a move and "showcasing" his talents in North America.
Schlotterbeck said: "What do you mean by ‘showcase’? I play 50 games a year. I think it’s perfectly normal that I always try to play well. Putting myself in the spotlight just for the sake of a World Cup – I don’t really see it that way.
"Of course, I’m clearly focusing on the World Cup and trying to put in good performances for Germany. That’s why I don’t have any intention of playing particularly well just for the sake of some contract."