EXCLUSIVE: Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore says the Reds don't need to panic about missing out on Yan Diomande — because it already has enough stars for Andoni Iraola
18:17, 04 Jul 2026
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool does not need to sign many new players this summer because Andoni Iraola will get more out of the stars he already has at his disposal.
That is the view of the former Reds striker Stan Collymore, who believes that the ex-Bournemouth boss will bring the best out of some big-money additions who arrived at Anfield under Arne Slot.
After finishing fifth in the Premier League standings, qualifying for the Champions League in the process, Liverpool opted to swap Slot for Iraola — and had wanted to bring in Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig after snapping up Victor Munoz from Osasuna.
"For me, Liverpool's biggest job this summer isn't signing more players — it's getting the very best out of the ones they've already got," Collymore tells Liverpool.com.
"The key is finding the right system for Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak because, effectively, it'll feel like having three new players if Iraola gets it right.
"If he can build a system that maximizes those players, people will stop talking about Liverpool needing midfielders and start talking about their creativity and goals.
"Iraola is an excellent coach. He'll assess every player properly rather than panic because Liverpool have missed out on one target.
"The most important thing is creating a coherent system. That's what Slot did so well initially, but Liverpool lost a bit of that cohesion in the second half of last season."
Andoni Iraola
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is aiming to strengthen his squad in the transfer market(Image: Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The need for extra pace and quality out wide is obvious. At the moment, Liverpool has no Mohamed Salah replacement, and Federico Chiesa — who could also leave — is the only natural right winger.
"I don't actually think replacing Salah is a desperate need right now," Collymore argues.
"You've still got Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. Diomande wasn't someone Liverpool simply had to sign, and if he's chosen PSG, then that's his decision.
"I don't see anybody available who simply walks in and replaces Mohamed Salah. Instead, I'd be looking at different combinations with the players Liverpool already have.
"You could play Isak through the middle, Ekitike drifting from one side and Gakpo from the other. Isak can also play from wider positions if needed, and Gakpo is equally comfortable attacking from either flank.
"That front three would create plenty of problems. Gakpo can go outside defenders or cut inside to shoot, while Isak's movement gives you different options.
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"Liverpool will eventually want a long-term replacement for Salah, but if clubs are demanding ridiculous money, I'd rather they hold firm than panic buy."
In addition to adding more options in forward areas, there might be a need to buy players in other positions too. But Collymore says there are no immediate areas of concern that need to be addressed.
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"I honestly don't buy into the idea that Liverpool need three or four new signings — they've already got a very talented squad," Collymore, speaking on behalf of BetTOM, insists.
"One or two players might need to adapt to different positions in the short term, but that's down to coaching more than recruitment.
"If Iraola gets the system right and gets the best out of Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike, Gakpo, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, Liverpool will already have enough quality to compete."