NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the pre-match warm-up before a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the pre-match warm-up before a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Dominik Szoboszlai has admitted that Liverpool’s “squad is short,” but he trusts the recruitment team to “get on with” the club’s transfer business.
While the arrival of Andoni Iraola was greeted by widespread positivity among supporters, it was common knowledge that he couldn’t be the only new arrival if the Reds are to compete for the Premier League.
The Basque coach has the potential to be a success at Liverpool, but his chances of winning quickly are being trimmed as the club dither in the transfer market.
The Reds have lost Mo Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate this summer from an already thin squad. So far, Victor Munoz and a not-quite-fit Jeremy Jacquet have been the only incomings.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah embrace on their final match for the club after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended 1-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah embrace on their final match for the club after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended 1-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While the players are confident of improvement, Szoboszlai did recognise that the “squad is short” in a chat with reporters, including the Athletic‘s James Pearce.
“The youngsters at the back also did very well both in the training sessions and the games,” said the Hungarian.
“They are one of us. The squad is short so we need everybody.”
Dominik Szoboszlai: “Not my job to say who we have to sign”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Those young defenders Szoboszlai referred to were Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Luke Chambers.
Ndukwe impressed, featuring more than anyone else on Liverpool’s US tour, but he is unavailable this season due to work permit problems.
Meanwhile, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Luke Chambers also played themselves into first-team consideration, but one is inexperienced and the latter is a left-back by trade.
Jacquet didn’t play due to his fitness being managed, Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from ACL surgery, Joe Gomez went off injured after less than 10 minutes and Virgil van Dijk, while excellent, is 35 years old.
With all that in mind, Szoboszlai was asked about the Reds’ recruitment.
CHICAGO, USA - Thursday, July 30, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during a press conference at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of the club's final pre-season friendly of their USA Tour, against Leeds United in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Thursday, July 30, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during a press conference at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of the club's final pre-season friendly of their USA Tour, against Leeds United in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“It’s not my job to say who we have to sign or if we have to sign someone,” he commented.
“But if the guys above and the manager decide to sign someone, then we’ll be very happy and welcome them well.
“If they decide not to [sign more players], then we get on with it and we have to do something special with this squad.”
Iraola, too, hasn’t hidden his desire to bring in more players.
Three weeks ago, the new manager reiterated the need for reinforcements: “The challenge that I know is very big.
“When I came here, the owners told me everything is not perfect.
“They said we would have some challenges, we would have to replace important players leaving, we have some injuries, but we are here to solve these kinds of problems and to try to maximise what we have.”
There is no doubt that Liverpool are trying to sign players – talks are ongoing for Bradley Barcola – but one or two may not be enough.
Supporters aren’t asking for multiple record transfers, but it would be nice to have enough players to at least compete for multiple honours, rather than having expectations tempered before even starting the season.
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Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Brentford FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)