Liverpool are probably already planning a long-term succession on the left side of their defence, and this process takes them back to Brazil.
With Andy Robertson entering the final stages of his time at Anfield and Milos Kerkez still working to become fully convincing since arriving, the Premier League club have begun to look further afield in the market. Now one name on their radar is 18-year-old Vinicius Lira.
Sport Witness' sources confirm this Liverpool have been following the Santos youngster in recent months. The club's South American scouts have monitored his development as the Brazilian club slowly grooms him into a bigger role in the senior team.
Liverpool are taking a closer look at Santos' talent
Born in October 2007, Lira is considered one of the most exciting prospects produced by Santos in recent years.
The left-back immediately stands out for his physical profile. Standing at approximately 1.87 metres, he combines unusual height for the position with strong athleticism and long strides. This allows him to cover the ground quickly and support attacks with regular overlapping runs.
However, attacking contributions are only part of his appeal. Coaches in Brazil often highlight his crossing ability, delivery from wide areas and set-piece quality. Lira is also comfortable getting into the box and has already contributed goals and assists throughout the youth levels. Liverpool scouts may have taken notice.
In the 2025 youth season, he made almost 40 appearances for Santos academy sides, scoring five goals and providing five assists. During that period he also helped the club win state titles at both U17 and U20 level.
The teenager also already has limited senior experience. He made his debut for the first team at the 2025 State Championships and has since made five senior appearances, three of which were as a starter.
tottenham step opens the door
Lira's path to regular first-team football has been shaped by an interesting twist involving Premier League rivals Liverpool.
tottenham hotspur recent transfers Santos sign left-back SouzaA deal that created immediate room for Lira to climb the internal hierarchy.
Within Santos, there is a growing belief that the teenager could ultimately prove to be a more complete prospect. Some people close to the club have also joked that Tottenham may have bought "the wrong left-back". Now it's up to Liverpool to get it right.
Merseyside clubs have shown increasing interest in identifying special talents Before they completely explode in South America. If Lira continues his progress with the Santos first team this year, Liverpool could find themselves in a good position to take action.
Why does the profile attract Liverpool?
Liverpool's recruitment model has often prioritized full-backs capable of making heavy contributions in attack. Under many managers, the role requires pace, passing ability and the stamina to cover the entire flank. Lira's profile already meets many of those requirements.
Despite his age, he combines physical strength with forward intent. His ability to reach the byline and deliver initial crosses is one of the most cited aspects of his game. Meanwhile, his size provides an advantage in aerial duels and defensive transitions.
He also plays left-footed, is comfortable under pressure and is capable of striking from set pieces.
At the moment, Liverpool's interest remains at monitoring level. The club is keeping a close eye on his development as he steps into senior football.
But with Robertson reaching the final stages of his Anfield career, and Kerkez still being assessed, Liverpool's succession planning may already be underway.
Vinicius is managed by Lira Bertolucci SportsWho represent some of the most high profile Brazilians in the Premier League. The agency has extensive experience in transfers around the world and is well placed to help Liverpool complete the deal.
