{"id":383,"date":"2026-08-04T17:39:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T17:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=383"},"modified":"2026-08-04T17:39:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T17:39:08","slug":"liverpool-transfer-news-andoni-iraolas-squad-lacks-depth-where-should-reds-strengthen-football-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=383","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool transfer news: Andoni Iraola’s squad lacks depth – where should Reds strengthen? | Football News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Liverpool are short in a number of positions just three weeks out from their Premier League opener and seemingly no closer to bringing in any further additions this summer.<\/p>\n

The current priority is signing a wide forward and Liverpool are expected to formalise their interest by making contact with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

However, depth elsewhere in the squad, particularly in defence, is raising concerns among supporters ahead of head coach Andoni Iraola’s first season in charge.<\/p>\n

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What are the concerns in central defence?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An injury to Joe Gomez,<\/strong> which will see him miss the league opener against Newcastle, has left Liverpool with Virgil van Dijk as the only senior central defender in the squad who is currently fit to play.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Jacquet<\/strong> has been signed from Rennes for \u00a360m to partner Van Dijk but is so far yet to play a single minute of football in pre-season. Liverpool are being cautious with the 21-year-old due to a shoulder injury, which has kept him out since February.<\/p>\n

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Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor provides the latest Liverpool transfer update following the clubs pre-season defeat to Leeds.<\/span>
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Meanwhile, 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni<\/strong>, the fourth-choice option, is still rehabbing from the ACL tear he suffered on his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last September. It is unclear at this stage when Jacquet or Leoni will be passed fit to play.<\/p>\n

Liverpool’s transfer plans are understood to be unaffected by Gomez’s injury. His lay-off is viewed as short-term and the club’s priorities, as things stand, lie elsewhere as they pursue the signing of a marquee wide forward.<\/p>\n

Iraola has been using youngsters Luke Chambers, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye in pre-season. Could one of them be partnering Van Dijk against Newcastle for the opening game? Ryan Gravenberch is another option, having filled in at the back for brief spells.<\/p>\n

To complicate matters further, Van Dijk has not travelled to the US to join up with Liverpool for their pre-season tour following his World Cup break which means there is reduced time for whoever does partner him on the opening day to get accustomed to each other.<\/p>\n

Is right-back a problem position?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In an immediate sense, Iraola has walked into a difficult situation at right-back. That will ease, of course, when Conor Bradley<\/strong> returns from a serious knee injury, but Iraola said last month that could be months away.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, the obvious alternative is Jeremie Frimpong<\/strong>, who has so far struggled to convince at Anfield when playing with too much defensive responsibility.<\/p>\n

Iraola’s predecessor, Arne Slot, called on Curtis Jones and Dominik Szboszlai to fill in at right-back last season in Bradley’s absence. When fit, Gomez has also been effectively deployed as a right-back, but that would likely put a strain on the options for centre-back.<\/p>\n

As things stand, signing a right-back is not a priority in this window for Liverpool. Their position may well be revisited later in the window but currently the focus is on bringing in a wide forward.<\/p>\n

Should a wide forward be the priority?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Clearly, there is a need for a new marquee signing in wide areas after Mohamed Salah’s departure. Victor Munoz<\/strong> has already arrived from Celta Vigo but at 23 years old, he does not have the required experience or profile to fill those boots alone.<\/p>\n

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Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher is full of praise for French winger Bradley Barcola but says he does not play in the position where Liverpool need to strengthen.<\/span>
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Jamie Carragher has questioned if Barcola, who Liverpool are set to make a move for, is the right man to replace Salah given his preference for playing on the left. Munoz, like Barcola, can play both sides but has spent most of his career on the left.<\/p>\n

This leaves Liverpool with a pool of wingers – Munoz, Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo and, potentially, Barcola – who favour one side and without a natural successor to Salah on the right hand-side. Federico Chiesa is another option but his future is uncertain.<\/p>\n

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Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz explains the four things Liverpool fans should know about transfer target Bradley Barcola.<\/span>
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However, it is understood that every winger in the squad will be expected to be used on both wings under Iraola. The versatility of Munoz was part of the attraction when Liverpool signed him earlier this summer while Ngumoha has been used on the right in pre-season.<\/p>\n

Tottenham are interested in Gakpo<\/a>, but Liverpool would have to feel that they have adequately replaced him before even considering a sale which would require a big fee given the Netherlands international has four years left on his contract.<\/p>\n

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is hopeful Alexander Isak will be in a good place physically going into the 2026\/27 season. <\/p>\n

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In terms of the depth in wide areas, Gakpo brings a lot of value in his experience. Even if Barcola signed, losing Gakpo would rid Liverpool of the only remaining wide player with a lot of experience of playing in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old also has the capacity to provide striker cover, for which there is a greater need while Hugo Ekitike continues his rehab from an Achilles injury and question marks remain about Alexander Isak’s ability to stay fit.<\/p>\n

Should midfield be a focus?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Gravenberch’s<\/strong> emergence as a No 6 in Arne Slot’s first year put plans to bring in a holding midfielder further down the priority list at Liverpool, but the team’s performances in the season just gone have highlighted a need for reinforcements in that position.<\/p>\n

Inter want to sign Jones, but as things stand their valuation falls short of Liverpool’s, especially in a market when other Premier League proven players in his position have moved for such big fees. A replacement would be required if Jones were to go.<\/p>\n

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Academy graduate Trey Nyoni <\/strong>has made a good case to at least be more involved next season with the first-team after starting twice in the Carabao Cup last season. If Jones does go, and Nyoni does enough to impress Iraola, he could help fill that void.<\/p>\n

The need for more midfield options might grow if Liverpool do keep relying on Jones or Szoboszlai to fill at right-back in the absence of Bradley.<\/p>\n

Your View: The users have their say…<\/a><\/h3>\n

‘Squad’s on bare bones!’<\/strong>
Squad’s on bare bones! There’s players I would offload but don’t think we’re in a position to at the minute. Definitely wouldn’t sell Jones, last scouser in the team. We need a right back, centre half, number 6 and 2 wingers desperately. Not sold on Barcola either for that price! [Lew1717]<\/p>\n

‘Patience and thin roster do not co-exist’<\/strong>
We have always been slow and steady, and after the disaster we had its understandable that the club want patience however, patience and thin roster do not co-exist. The board and the upper management are completely failing us as a club. I will not have a year like the last again! [Anfieldlover]<\/p>\n

‘I’d love to see Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha at Liverpool’<\/strong>
You know who I would love to see at Liverpool Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha He is an excellent player and a proper dm he can also play a brilliant pass over the one which is good for Iraola’s style of play. [King ife]<\/p>\n

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\n Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola still wants to strengthen before the summer window closes on Sept 1
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‘We need reinforcements all over the pitch’<\/strong>
We are bare bones, we brought in a RB and a LB who aren’t good enough for Liverpool. We let Robbo go who I think could have done a good job for another season, we need a good number 6 , we also need 2 CB and two wingers. We need reinforcements all over the pitch. [Joe Mac]<\/p>\n

‘Is Trent the answer on loan?’<\/strong>
If there’s a RB \/ LB who’d go straight into starting 11 who would it be\u2026 I’m not convinced any of the existing squad have a starting place in those positions – the defence needs something – is Trent the answer on loan. [Harris87]<\/p>\n

Bring back Nunez!<\/strong>
Bring back Nunez – a fraction of the price we would have to pay for Barcola, he loves the club and would set the tone for the press. Can play on the LW and ST positions allowing us to recruit in other areas. Need a versatile defender CB\/RB and a RM\/RW to replace Salah. <\/strong>[NathCoff]<\/p>\n

‘Don’t win anything without a strong defence’<\/strong>
FSG focused on generating money for themselves from a prospective sale of LFC, than learning from last seasons debacle. Take your pick as to the acquisitions FSG needs to build a squad for this season. Hughes a disaster. Don’t win anything without a strong defence. [Keith20]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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