Liverpool can hand Andoni Iraola a bulletproof squad capable of challenging for silverware by making two exciting signings
Bradley Barcola #12 of France celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Bradley Barcola should be Liverpool's star signing(Image: Dan Mullan, Getty Images)
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Liverpool simply can't go into the new season with their current squad as it stands. After a dismal campaign under Arne Slot last term, there is a mix of excitement and expectation brewing at Anfield since the appointment of new head coach Andoni Iraola.
The Basque native worked wonders at Bournemouth, guiding them to sixth place - just one spot below Liverpool - in their first ever qualification for European competition last season. Iraola undoubtedly has greater quality to work with at Liverpool, but there are still some glaring gaps in the squad that need addressing before the Premier League opener against Newcastle on August 23.
The Reds lost three key players this summer with a combined total of zero pounds received. Regarding Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah, it was the right time to let the ageing legends seek a new challenge. But Ibrahima Konate frustrated the club by joining Real Madrid in his prime, a year after Trent Alexander-Arnold made the same move as a free agent.
Two quality additions have been made to the squad in central defender Jeremy Jacquet and left-winger Victor Munoz, though the former was actually signed in January, before Iraola took charge. But at least two more signings are required to truly allow the manager to shape the squad and allow for a successful season.
Munoz was signed for £34.5million last month in a deal spread across six years, which works out at just £5.75m-per-year. That means there is still considerable money left in the bank to sign a marquee winger, believed to be the Reds’ top priority this summer.
Several wingers have been linked with a move to Anfield but Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool’s primary target. The Reds’ pursuit of the France international received a boost over the weekend after it emerged that Barcola had refused to sign a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
However, one hurdle to getting a deal done for the 23-year-old is PSG’s reported £140m valuation, which would mark a club record fee paid for a player. Liverpool, who are unwilling to meet that figure, are said to be seeking a compromise, with talks reportedly ongoing this week between the two clubs.
Should they secure his signature for a lower price, Iraola would have one of the most dangerous forwards in the league at his disposal. Barcola possesses skill and pace in abundance, adept at both spearheading counter-attacks and carving open low blocks.
His ability to play on either wing is another crucial quality, giving the Reds boss the option of playing him either on the left, or using him to fill Salah’s shoes on the right flank. However, if Liverpool are unable to negotiate a lower fee with PSG, Pedro Neto of Chelsea remains a suitable second option.
Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto is a great alternative to Barcola(Image: Adrian Dennis - AFP)
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Chelsea are not actively looking to sell Neto but the Portuguese would cost less than Barcola, while still being a versatile and Premier League-proven addition on the wings.
Following a deal for either Barcola or Neto, Liverpool must turn their attention to their ailing defence. Even before Konate’s exit, the Reds were short at the back, given Joe Gomez’s recurring injury problems and Giovanni Leoni’s long-term recovery from an ACL injury.
The position appears to be even more of a problem now after Gomez limped off in the pre-season friendly against Sunderland at the weekend, while new arrival Jacquet was left out as a precaution.
If there are question marks over whether Liverpool have enough depth before the season has even begun, it means something is seriously wrong. Iraola admitted as much last Monday, when he gave his second press conference and the first of Liverpool's summer 2026 pre-season tour of the USA.
The manager mentioned right-back Conor Bradley’s own recovery from a serious injury and highlighted that, while he sees Bradley as the club’s long-term right back, the club are looking for a “solution” to their centre back and right-back problems. As such, it would be wise to bring in a defender who can play both positions to a high level, as Liverpool’s long list of injured defenders continue their rehabilitation.
Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United is challenged by James Hill of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Newcastle United at Vitality Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Bournemouth, England.
James Hill would be a solid defensive signing(Image: Getty Images)
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It makes the most sense for Iraola to pursue James Hill, who thrived under him at Bournemouth last season. Hill, over the course of 29 league appearances, was one of the Cherries’ most dependable defenders.
While a centre-back by trade, he made three appearances at right-back, which is a good thing for Liverpool given Iraola has earmarked Bradley as the long-term first-choice at right-back. Hill made 11.16 defensive contributions per 90 and won 65.5% of his aerial duels, as well as 63.8% of his duels overall.
No central defender won more aerial duels per 90 in the league than Hill (4.88), while he also showcased an ability to use the ball progressively in the manner Iraola demands from his centre-backs, creating an impressive 0.56 chances per 90.
For now, there is next to no noise surrounding his potential departure from the Vitality Stadium. But that is something Liverpool should look to change by ramping up their pursuit. He would be a crucial addition to the squad, adding depth and filling a homegrown spot in the Reds’ domestic and European squads.
With Hill and Barcola brought in, Liverpool could go into the new campaign confident that they have a near-bulletproof squad, capable of building on from recent disappointments and striking fear in their rivals.
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