Liverpool do not expect to conduct much of their transfer business until late in the summer, and only partly due to many of their targets being at the World Cup.
Though Liverpool moved ahead of time to line up their first signings of the summer in young centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, it has been quiet in recent weeks.
No new arrivals have been confirmed despite the window officially opening on Monday, while Brentford, Brighton, Ipswich, Newcastle and Tottenham have already brought players in.
Liverpool are expected to be busy as the summer unfolds, but according to The Athletic‘s James Pearce, those within the club accept “business is more likely to happen later in the window.”
Andoni Iraola to assess his new Liverpool squad
Andoni Iraola new manager of Liverpool Football Club at Axa training centre on June 04, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
That is in part due to the ongoing World Cup, but also the decision to part ways with Arne Slot and appoint a new head coach in Andoni Iraola.
Iraola wants to “assess the talent he’s inherited in the early stages of pre-season,” and only after that will the bulk of decisions be made over those coming in or going out.
There are already plans in motion to sign “at least two attacking players” as a priority, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola the most high-profile targets.
But while the departure of Mo Salah and the failure to replace Luis Diaz last summer means there is already a need to push ahead with attacking signings, Diomande and Barcola are both at the World Cup.
Yan Diomande of Cote d'Ivoire during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Ivory Coast at Philadelphia Stadium on June 14th, 2026. (Photo by Riquelve Nata/Sports Press Photo)
That means while negotiations can take place in the background with their respective clubs and agents, no deals are likely to be signed until after the tournament.
Pearce reports that Liverpool are also due to strengthen in midfield and at right-back, but both areas could be contingent on Iraola’s view on the squad available to him.
This is particularly true of the midfield, with 10 already in the first-team squad or on the fringes but with some considered candidates to leave.
Liverpool could be forced to sell before buying
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones celebrating after scoring the fourth goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If any or all of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott or Wataru Endo were to be sold, they would likely need replacing, while their sales could finance moves for the likes of Adam Wharton and Alex Scott.
Liverpool fans may be frustrated by the lack of movement at this stage, particularly as those around them move to strengthen early.
But it is clear this is a summer that will take time to develop, with Liverpool left to bide their time to add to Iraola’s squad.