Liverpool has been quiet in the summer transfer window so far, with some worries surrounding the lack of business conducted in the market before the Premier League season starts
Andoni Iraola manager / head coach of Liverpool during the during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco
Liverpool have been given a worrying transfer verdict(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has claimed that Liverpool should be worried about defensive issues once again, after a lack of business in the transfer market so far.
The Reds have endured a challenging preseason under Andoni Iraola so far, as a lack of depth and the phased return of stars from the World Cup has made for a mixture of options available to the manager. For the most part, the new head coach has relied upon a few senior players mixed among some academy options, particularly in the defence, which has become an issue.
Collapses against Leeds United and AS Monaco have created some cause for concern, though it's unclear just how much should be taken from performances in preseason, but the common thread has been the difficulties at the back.
The first three preseason matches saw Iraola only have one senior centre-back available at Liverpool, and that was only for a few minutes as Joe Gomez picked up an injury early in the opening game.
The recent return of Virgil van Dijk has helped bring some stability to the backline, while there is hope that Jeremy Jacquet's imminent return and a loan deal for Ronald Araujo can ease the tensions.
But for MacAnthony, who is a Liverpool fan, the issues are clear to see, as he told TalkSPORT: "Defensively, we should worry. You saw things at the weekend, set-piece goals conceded.
"That was a real issue for Liverpool last year. The winner for Monaco was a set-piece, someone not picking up a player who's got a free header from three yards out. That happened too often last year.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 9: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco at Anfield on August 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"Van Dijk, making a mistake again, being clumsy. He's not often clumsy. Look, it was messy, defensively. There were a lot of great points attacking-wise, some of the young players did really well. But defensively, we give you anxiety watching the last two games.
"As much as it's pre-season and you've got wingers playing at right-back and midfielders playing at centre-back, it's just a mish-mash at the moment that's uncomfortable to watch.
"I know they're signing the Barcelona guy (Ronald Araujo), there's going to be some strength coming in and players coming back, but they're the things you want to see fixed. And I don't like seeing my team give away set-piece goals again. That was a big problem for us last year."
It's certainly an issue that Iraola will be hoping doesn't carry over from preseason, with the set-piece issue become particularly clear in clashes with Leeds and Monaco.
Liverpool conceded 53 goals last season in the Premier League, a jump of 12 goals from the previous campaign that saw the team lift the title, while it was the second-worst in the top ten - only behind Iraola's Bournemouth.
The manager could lean one way or the other. Either he will tighten up defensively, or push on to score more than the opposition, either of which will be with the aim of giving Liverpool those small margins the team has been missing.