Andoni Iraola didn’t put a number on how many new signings are required this summer, but admitted two areas definitely need to be addressed.
The Reds’ new head coach has arrived into a situation where certain areas of the squad are very clearly in need of strengthening, due to those who have left the club this summer and long-term injuries.
The first priority is undoubtedly a winger to effectively replace Mo Salah within the squad.
“We definitely need to sign a winger,” was Iraola’s honest assessment, speaking at a press conference in Chicago on Tuesday to preview Liverpool’s pre-season tour in the USA.
Iraola was asked if he had a number in mind for how many new signings are required, replying: “It’s difficult to say a number when the market is open. You always have to be open to new options to improve the squad. We analyse the market. It depends on a lot of things.”
Liverpool have been most strongly linked with Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola, although the latter’s natural position is on the left, not the right, but both would demand fees in excess of £100 million and in Diomande’s case it has been reported that his preference is to sign for PSG instead.
As it stands, Liverpool’s right wing options while in the US for friendlies against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds, are limited to under-21s captain Kieran Morrison and 16-year-old Joshua Abe.
Other right wing options Federico Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong will be required at centre-forward and right-back, respectively, due to the lack of options in those two positions.
Iraola: Defensive depth “very thin”
CHICAGO, USA - Monday, July 20, 2026: Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola arrives in Chicago ahead of the start of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Monday, July 20, 2026: Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola arrives in Chicago ahead of the start of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking specifically about Conor Bradley‘s injury and the right-back situation, Iraola explained:
“I think it depends on the Conor situation. At the end, if you have a fully fit, happy, Conor Bradley we are very happy, ready to go and we would not be asking ourselves these questions. I think it’s a situation that’s tricky.
“In the long term, we know we want him to be our right back but right now he’s still a little bit far from returning.
“So with the centre-back, right-back situation, in terms of defensive depth, we are very thin right now, so it’s a solution that we are trying to find.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's Conor Bradley receives treatment during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's Conor Bradley receives treatment during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Thus far, Liverpool have added Jeremy Jacquet at centre-back, effectively replacing the outgoing Ibrahima Konate, but at right back the situation is far from solid.
And even at centre-back, with Giovanni Leoni still not back in full training after 10 months out with an ACL injury, the options are not only thin but also untested.
Neither Leoni or Jacquet have played a Premier League match, while Virgil van Dijk – who will not join the rest of the squad in the USA but instead train back in Liverpool – has just played more minutes than any player in Europe at age 35, and Joe Gomez cannot be relied upon to remain fit.
A winger and a defender, then, top Iraola’s wishlist.
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Football – UEFA Champions League – Quarter-Final – 1st Leg – Paris Saint-Germain FC v Liverpool FC
Football - UEFA Champions League - Quarter-Final - 1st Leg - Paris Saint-Germain FC v Liverpool FC
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