Forgotten Liverpool defender close to exit after six-and-a-half years with Reds

Anderson Arroyo, who has been with Liverpool for six and a half years without ever playing a match for the Reds, is on the verge of leaving Anfield permanently this summer.

The Colombian is expected to sign with Spanish team Burgos CF, where he spent the latter half of last season on loan. It's anticipated that Liverpool won't receive a fee for Arroyo, with the deal likely to be completed in the next few days.

Former Swansea City star Michu, now sporting director at Burgos, has been instrumental in securing Arroyo's permanent move after the club decided they wanted to keep him. Recent reports from Spain suggest that Arroyo has agreed personal terms for a three-year contract with Burgos, signalling the end of his time at Anfield.

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Last season, Arroyo made 16 appearances for Burgos and scored one goal. This was his eighth loan stint away from Liverpool since joining the Reds from Colombian team Fortaleza CEIF in February 2018. Upon signing, he was immediately loaned to RCD Mallorca B for 18 months as he couldn't secure a work permit to play in England. He then spent the 2018/19 season on loan with K.A. A. Gent in Belgium but didn't make any appearances for the club.

After another unsuccessful loan spell, this time with Czech team Mlada Boleslav in 2019/20, Arroyo's luck changed when he returned to Spain with Salamanca for the 2020/21 season.Despite being unable to secure a work permit to play for Liverpool, the Colombian Under-23s international spent the next two seasons with CD Mirandes and Deportivo Alaves, earning promotion via the play-offs with the latter in 2023.

He then joined FC Andorra last summer but was recalled in January before being loaned out to Burgos. The defender last extended his contract with the Reds in 2022 before joining Alaves, but it's now reported that Burgos are on the verge of signing him permanently. According to Diario de Burgos, there are still minor issues to be resolved with Liverpool, but it's expected that his departure will be finalised soon.

Arroyo is set to become the fifth player with first-team experience to leave Anfield this summer, following the exits of Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Mateusz Musialowski and Melkamu Frauendorf at the end of their contracts. Calvin Ramsay has also been loaned out to Wigan Athletic.

In addition, Adrian appears likely to leave Liverpool on a free transfer despite being offered a new deal, with Spanish reports suggesting he has agreed to return to Real Betis.