Liverpool have confirmed a late move in the transfer window to sign a defender.

Liverpool’s late transfer-window business has already seen a departure, with the club confirming that Calum Scanlon will join Cardiff City on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. The 20-year-old full-back will spend the rest of the campaign under the guidance of Brian Barry-Murphy, with Cardiff currently top of League One.

In an official statement, Liverpool confirmed the temporary switch, noting that Scanlon will remain with Cardiff until the end of the season.

The move also highlights how rapidly Scanlon has progressed through Liverpool’s academy since arriving from Birmingham City in 2021. He made his senior debut in October 2023, featuring in a Europa League fixture against Toulouse at Anfield. However, his development has been disrupted by injury setbacks, most notably during a loan spell at Millwall last season that was cut short, making this opportunity for regular football especially important.

Scanlon loan provides clarity on Liverpool outgoings
Arne Slot has recently stressed that Liverpool’s focus remains on strengthening the squad, meaning departures are largely about ensuring players receive valuable minutes and maintaining balance rather than reducing depth.

With the transfer deadline approaching, Scanlon’s loan appears to be a sensible piece of business, allowing the young defender to gain consistent game time while remaining part of Liverpool’s long-term plans.

Scanlon’s Millwall loan statistics (before injury)
During his brief loan spell at Millwall in the 2024–25 season, Scanlon recorded the following numbers (via Sofascore):

Appearances (starts): 4 (3)
Minutes played: 169
Goals: 1
Expected goals (xG): 0.22
Accurate passes: 8.8 per game (88%)
Tackles: 1.5 per game
Possession lost: 7.3 per game

While the sample size is small, the figures reflect a familiar pattern — interrupted availability. A sustained run of matches without injury is now the key next step in his development.

This outgoing comes as Liverpool continue to be linked with defensive additions, including Lutsharel Geertruida and Jérémy Jacquet.