Liverpool is set to have a busy summer transfer window under new head coach Andoni Iraola, with the Reds looking to bolster their backline with long-term defensive targets this summer
17:35, 12 Jun 2026
Andoni Iraola new manager of Liverpool Football Club at Axa training centre
Andoni Iraola will have to dig deep to sign his top target(Image: Getty)
Liverpool is anticipated to face a frenetic summer transfer window following the appointment of new head coach Andoni Iraola. Despite lavishing an extraordinary £446million on new players last summer, this season demonstrated that there remains considerable scope for improvement within the squad.
Iraola is poised to bring the same high-intensity, attacking football that proved so successful during his tenure at Bournemouth, meaning Liverpool will move away from the more cautious style Arne Slot employed before his recent dismissal.
All eyes are on who the Basque coach will target, with much of the debate centring on a replacement for Mohamed Salah up front. Any incoming signing will undoubtedly need to fit Iraola's direct, attack-minded philosophy.
Nevertheless, there is good reason to believe the Reds are also planning to strengthen their defensive options, particularly with long-term recruitment at centre-back in mind. Here, Mirror Football looks at how the back line could shape up by the close of the summer window.
Jeremy Jacquet will be remembered as Slot's final signing at Liverpool, having joined the club in a £60million deal in early February. Jacquet had agreed to make the move to the Reds from Rennes at the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign.
The 20 year old represents a highly welcome addition, particularly given the significant gap left at the heart of the defence following Ibrahima Konate's exit. The Frenchman recently left as a free agent after his contract expired.
Alongside Jacquet, Joe Gomez and captain Virgil van Dijk, Iraola can also turn to youngster Giovanni Leoni. However, the promising Italian is still maturing and has yet to appear in a Premier League fixture, having spent the entire campaign sidelined while recovering from an ACL injury.
Jeremy Jacquet of Stade Rennais in action during French Cup match between Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais at Orange Velodrome on February 3, 2026 in Marseille, France.
Jeremy Jacquet will join Liverpool after a deal was agreed earlier in the year(Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Liverpool would therefore stand to gain from securing another seasoned centre-back to bridge the divide between youngsters Leoni and Jacquet, and Van Dijk and Gomez, both of whose deals are due to expire next year.
Goncalo Inacio of Sporting CP would represent an excellent long-term acquisition. The Portuguese defender reportedly remains firmly on Liverpool's agenda after several years of rumours linking him with a switch to Anfield.
The 24 year old is composed on the ball and possesses an outstanding passing range, allowing him to break lines and integrate seamlessly into Iraola's system. He is also left-footed, enabling the club to protect the future of their backline should Van Dijk depart.
Inacio is drawing substantial interest, with numerous top clubs vying for his signature. But despite having a £55m release clause in his contract, Sporting may be prepared to accept a lower fee.
Turning to right-back, the position caused Slot considerable headaches last season following Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure, Conor Bradley's injury setback and Jeremie Frimpong's inconsistent performances. This resulted in defensive duties on the right flank being rotated between Gomez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Calvin Ramsay and Curtis Jones, with nobody firmly establishing themselves.
Bradley is anticipated to return in September and make the position his own once more. If he maintains fitness and progresses this season, there's every reason to believe the defender, who arrived at Liverpool aged 16, can capably succeed Alexander-Arnold as the club's homegrown star.Frimpong and young prospect Ramsay will remain as alternative choices.
At left-back, club icon Andy Robertson's transfer to Tottenham leaves Liverpool somewhat thin, with Milos Kerkez now the sole recognised left-back in the squad. The Reds may avoid strengthening this area during the transfer window, though, with some reports indicating Kostas Tsimikas could return to his understudy role after completing a season-long loan spell at Roma.
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Therefore, this is how Liverpool's defensive line could appear going into the 2026/27 season under their exciting new manager:.