Liverpool's hunt for defensive reinforcements took a dramatic turn on deadline day as they made a late approach for Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto. The Reds were keen to strengthen their backline under Andoni Iraola, but their efforts were stopped by a basic disagreement over how the deal would be structured.

Deadline-day drama at Anfield

In the closing hours of the summer transfer window, Liverpool emerged as surprise contenders for Chelsea's Gusto. Looking to add quality depth and competition on the right side of defence, the Merseyside club made a serious attempt to bring the 23-year-old Frenchman to Anfield.

According to reports from Fabrice Hawkins, Liverpool made one final push on the day to sign Gusto on loan, but the move did not go through. The Reds had picked out Gusto as an ideal option to improve their defensive rotation, but time eventually ran out on the transfer.

Financial obstacles stop permanent switch

The main issue in the negotiations was Chelsea's insistence on a full separation from the former Lyon defender. While Liverpool were interested only in a temporary answer to their depth concerns, the Blues were unwilling to allow Gusto to leave without a major long-term commitment from the buying club. That difference in approach effectively ended any chance of the player moving from West London to the North West before the 11:00 PM deadline.

More specifically, the Reds were prepared to consider only a straight loan for the France international, whereas Chelsea would approve an exit only if it came as part of a permanent transfer. Liverpool were reportedly not in a position to fund a permanent deal for Gusto at this stage, having already invested heavily elsewhere in the squad.

Iraola's search for defensive depth

Liverpool manager Iraola has been eager to fine-tune his squad after a busy summer, and signing a new right-back was high on his list of priorities. Gusto, who has impressed with his athleticism and crossing since arriving in the Premier League, was seen as an excellent tactical match for Iraola's high-intensity setup.

The manager clearly believed the squad needed more specialist cover in that position to compete across several competitions during the 2026-27 campaign.

Liverpool's interest in the Chelsea defender was not a last-minute whim, with the club reportedly having tracked Gusto for some time. However, their failure to reach an agreement with a direct Premier League rival proved impossible to overcome.

Implications for the Reds' squad

With the Gusto move collapsing, Liverpool must now manage the first half of the season with their existing defensive choices. Missing out on the 23-year-old leaves Iraola with fewer right-back options than he would have wanted going into the autumn. That could place extra pressure on the current players to stay fit and deliver consistently as the schedule becomes more crowded with domestic and European commitments.