How Tottenham’s move for Souza helped Liverpool secure a move for upcoming Brazilian sensation

Tottenham signed Brazilian youngster Souza in the January window.

Liverpool are said to be approaching a decision for Tottenham-linked Andy Robertson as he approaches the later stages of his career.

While the Reds have already prepared for his possible exit by signing Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth last summer, the Hungarian is still adapting to life in Merseyside.

And it looks like Liverpool are looking further ahead to grab a next-generation talent for that left-back position.

Liverpool looking at Santos youngster as potential Robertson replacement

The Reds are said to be riding on their South American network, as they have reportedly identified Santos FC youngster Vinicius Lira as a possible successor to the left-back role. (h/t Sport Witness)

The Brazilian has shown his promise in the last few months, and that has been enough for Liverpool to register interest in his services.

He is quite an unusual profile for a left back given his ~1.87 m height, as he combines his physique with his athletic ability. This gives him an advantage going into aerial duels and on defending transitions.

But more than that, he has shown comfort in receiving the ball under pressure and delivering those early crosses that have become quite a norm at Anfield Stadium under Klopp. He is also quite confident when it comes to taking set pieces. Those qualities look like those of an ideal Liverpool full-back in many senses.

How Tottenham helped Liverpool in Vinicius Lira pursuit

During the 2025 youth campaign, Lira was enjoying an impressive season with Santos’ academy teams, and his rise within their hierarchy was quite down to a recent transfer from Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites recently signed Souza from Santos in a transfer that created more opportunities for Lira to get into the first team at Santos and get a more prominent role in the first team.

And within Santos, the staff have a growing belief that the teenager could end up being a more complete player in terms of skills needed in a modern left-back. And a few people close to the Brazilian giants have gone on to suggest that Tottenham may have overlooked the bigger talent by pouncing on Souza.

The Reds’ interest in Lira is still at the monitoring stage at the moment as they look to track how he develops with him getting more minutes under his belt in first-team football at Santos.

But that being said, it is clear that the Reds are looking for a new full-back with Robertson gradually nearing the final phase of his career, and by the looks of it, Tottenham might have handed Liverpool that successor on a plate by signing Souza in the winter window.