Anan Khalaili and Liverpool’s Search for a Right-Back Solution
Liverpool’s right side remains a pressing concern, and the club has yet to find a permanent solution to the difficult task of replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold. While Conor Bradley has shown promise, issues with consistency and availability persist. Similarly, while Jeremie Frimpong offers impressive pace and attacking flair, he appears more effective in advanced roles than as a traditional right-back.
This makes the recent news surrounding Anan Khalaili particularly noteworthy. According to Marco Barzaghi, Inter Milan moved quickly to secure the player, despite reports suggesting that he harbors a long-term dream of playing for Liverpool. Although the timing is unfortunate for the Reds, Inter has successfully closed the deal for now.
Khalaili joins Inter Milan for approximately €25 million—roughly £21 million before add-ons—following a standout tenure at Union SG. A right-sided player with excellent athletic ability, he excels at direct running and aggressive play, making him well-suited for modern wing-back systems. His capacity to carry the ball into space, challenge defenders one-on-one, and press with high intensity aligns with teams that prioritize verticality and movement.
Inter Milan Move Comes First
Barzaghi’s report emphasized that Inter pursued the transfer with significant urgency. “Inter were extremely determined to sign Anan. They wanted him at all costs,” he noted. This level of commitment suggests that the Italian club views him as a future starter rather than just a depth option.
The report also detailed how the transfer nearly collapsed before Inter’s coaching staff intervened. “We went through a terrible week. The transfer came very close to collapsing, but then Cristian Chivu took the initiative and called Anan personally.” Such personal involvement typically indicates that the management has a clear, long-term plan for the player.
Liverpool Transfer Angle Will Not Go Away
The connection to Liverpool persists because the player reportedly views Anfield as his dream destination. Barzaghi added, “He believes Anan can continue to improve and perhaps one day fulfil his childhood dream of playing for Liverpool. Personally, I probably wouldn’t have said that to him.” While this is an unusual admission to make during a transfer pitch, it highlights the player’s long-term career aspirations.
For Liverpool, Khalaili remains a player to monitor rather than a current transfer target. The 21-year-old is entering a major phase of his development at Inter Milan. Should he thrive in Serie A, especially in a demanding wide role, interest in his services will undoubtedly increase.
Why Anan Khalaili Fits Liverpool Discussion
Under Andoni Iraola, Liverpool require intensity, stamina for repeat sprints, and defensive reliability on the flanks. Khalaili possesses many of these desirable traits. However, because Liverpool need solutions in the immediate future and Inter have already secured his signature, the player currently remains a subject for the scouting department rather than a priority signing.
The ongoing attention is justified; Liverpool still lack certainty at right-back. As long as that position remains unsettled, any capable right-sided player in Europe will remain part of the conversation.
Our View
From the perspective of a Liverpool supporter, this news is both intriguing and frustrating. The player’s profile is a perfect fit: he is young, fast, and positionally flexible—exactly the type of market opportunity fans want their club to capitalize on before prices escalate. If Khalaili is moving for €25 million, a successful campaign in Serie A could quickly move him into a much higher price bracket.
This situation also raises questions about Liverpool’s broader squad strategy. If the club continues to be linked with right-sided defenders and wing-backs after testing several internal and external options, it confirms that the underlying issue remains unresolved. While fans understand the necessity of transition, the lack of clarity is a cause for concern.
Furthermore, there is a practical reality: once a player joins a club like Inter Milan, acquiring them becomes difficult. Inter is unlikely to develop talent for other teams, and should Khalaili prove to be their long-term solution at right-back, they will either retain him or demand a substantial transfer fee. For Liverpool to eventually pursue him, they would need to be convinced that he is a definitive top-level solution rather than merely a talented athlete.
Nevertheless, supporters will keep a close watch on his progress. A player publicly linked with a dream move to Liverpool always commands attention. Should he impress in Serie A, this narrative will inevitably resurface—and if Liverpool’s search for a right-back continues, the interest will only grow stronger.