Liverpool has been relatively quiet in the transfer market this summer, but the Reds may need to move on a number of players before the window closes on September 1 if it is to bring in further signings
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds the supporters at full-time following the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco at Anfield on August 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola may have to offload a large amount of players from his squad(Image: Getty Images)
It has been a relatively subdued transfer window for Liverpool. The Reds secured Victor Munoz in a $47 million (£34.5M) deal from Osasuna after triggering his release clause in June, while Ronald Araujo joined the club earlier this week on a season-long loan from Barcelona.
Jeremy Jacquet officially completed his move to the club from Rennes following an initial $74 million (£55M) agreement struck back in January, while Ifeanyi Ndukwe also finalised his $3.5 million (£2.6M) switch from Austria Vienna after terms were reached earlier this year.
On the departures front, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Rhys Williams all left on free transfers upon the expiry of their contracts, while Liverpool has offloaded academy prospects Luca Stephenson, Carter Pinnington and Tommy Pilling to Bolton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion and Zemplin Michalovce respectively.
Armin Pecsi headed to TSC Hartberg on loan last month, while Amara Nallo and Kyle Kelly also sealed their own temporary departures to HJK and Forest Green Rovers.
Yet despite a fairly understated summer to date at Anfield, the club will likely need to ramp up its activity over the remaining two-and-a-half weeks before the transfer window shuts on September 1, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Liverpool remains keen to bolster its squad, particularly in attacking areas, with Bradley Barcola identified as a key target. Negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain are continuing, and the Reds are also understood to be exploring the possibility of recruiting an additional forward alongside the Frenchman.
While Araujo's loan arrival has dampened speculation about further defensive reinforcements, the Reds remain linked with players such as Adam Wharton amid potential midfield requirements.
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola takes part in a training session on August 11, 2026, the eve of the UEFA Supercup football match between Champions League winners Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and Europa League winners Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool remains in pursuit of Bradley Barcola(Image: Getty Images)
Admittedly, beyond Barcola (or an alternative attacking addition), any additional signings could hinge on outgoing transfers. Players including Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott have all been subjects of persistent transfer rumours.
However, this isn't driven by a requirement to restore financial equilibrium. Instead, the squad, while undeniably requiring reinforcement in certain areas, is currently overstocked with players.
It was widely reported earlier this week that Araujo's signature means the Reds have now occupied all 17 of their permitted non-homegrown positions within a maximum 25-man squad.
Yet following several of the club's academy prospects reaching the requisite age this summer, leaving them with 14 players meeting homegrown criteria, Liverpool presently possess 31 senior professionals requiring registration to feature for them in the upcoming campaign.
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Moreover, this figure would climb to a minimum of 33 players when compiling a Champions League squad. While it might be reasonable to disregard academy-level acquisitions such as Mor Talla Ndiaye and Will Wright, both Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni would require registration in the Reds' European squad should Andoni Iraola wish to call upon them.
This is because although the duo qualify as Under-21 players in the Premier League, neither has been at Liverpool for sufficient time to meet the criteria for List B placement (designated for youth players).
A player may be registered on List B if he is born on or after 1 January 2005 and has, since his 15th birthday, been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years, or a total of three consecutive years with a maximum of one loan period to a club from the same association for a period not longer than one year. Players aged 16 may be registered on List B if they have been registered with the participating club for the previous two years without interruption.
The identical situation would arise for Ibrahim Mbaye should the Reds pursue the Paris Saint-Germain forward. The 18-year-old would qualify as an Under-21 player and wouldn't require registration for Premier League fixtures, but would need to be registered for Champions League competition.
Ibrahim MBAYE of Paris Saint-Germain during the friendly match between Mallorca and Paris at Estadi de Son Moix on August 5, 2026 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Bagu Blanco/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Liverpool is considering a move for Ibrahim Mbaye(Image: Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha now at least meets the criteria for List B registration, having been ineligible last season when his inclusion in Arne Slot's Champions League squad initially came at the expense of Chiesa before Leoni sustained a season-ending ACL injury.
Therefore, at present, the Reds would be required to omit eight senior players when submitting their Champions League squad, and six for Premier League registration. Neither figure accounts for Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who must depart on loan having been unable to secure a work permit.
Factor in one new arrival and these numbers increase to at least nine and seven respectively.
Admittedly, the situation will evolve before month's end, with Liverpool still pursuing squad reinforcements while several players are anticipated to leave.
From the Reds' existing personnel, reducing numbers appears relatively straightforward. Calvin Ramsay currently fills a non-homegrown slot for starters, and would presumably be replaced by Jacquet or Leoni.
With Hugo Ekitike sidelined long-term, anticipated to remain unavailable until the New Year with an Achilles problem, he could similarly be sacrificed to accommodate one of the two young defenders.
Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike on the bench ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Hugo Ekitike faces a long lay-off with an Achilles injury(Image: Getty Images)
However, should the club wish to secure Barcola, or any other player not classified as homegrown, additional room would need creating - either through offloading one of their existing overseas talents or excluding them entirely. Meanwhile, regarding homegrown players, Liverpool could also opt to exclude Conor Bradley, depending on the anticipated duration of the Northern Ireland international's absence following the knee injury he sustained against Arsenal in January.
Nevertheless, the Reds would need to exercise caution with such a temporary solution if they wished to preserve their flexibility for January transfer activity. Clubs are restricted to making just three amendments to their Champions League squad mid-season prior to the knockout rounds.
Promoting Ekitike and/or Bradley if they have been initially omitted would consume these available slots and restrict how many prospective winter acquisitions could be registered.
Even if Bradley is included this summer, Liverpool still possesses several homegrown alternatives they could reasonably omit.
Jones, Elliott, Joe Gomez, Freddie Woodman and Jeremie Frimpong would presently occupy six homegrown positions alongside the Northern Ireland international.
Iraola could subsequently select between Stefan Bajcetic, Luke Chambers, Kaide Gordon, Isaac Mabaya, James McConnell, Vitezslav Jaros, Owen Beck and Harvey Davies to complete the two remaining places.
However, the aforementioned eight players possess a combined total of merely 19 Premier League appearances, with Bajcetic accounting for 12 of them. They are not yet established first-team players.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 25: Andoni Iraola head coach of Liverpool speaks with his players during the first half of the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at GEODIS Park on July 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola will lead Liverpool into the new season(Image: Getty Images)
Moreover, collectively, they are either recovering from lengthy injuries, currently out with long-term fitness issues, anticipated to leave on temporary deals or, in Davies' situation, merely serving as backup goalkeeping options.
Additional home-grown spots could become available should Jones and/or Elliott exit before the transfer window shuts.
Clearly, there remains much to be sorted at Anfield during the closing weeks of the transfer window.
While Liverpool may now only have 17 non-homegrown players aged over 21 following Araujo's arrival, they must still create two openings if they want to utilize Jacquet and Leoni in European competition.
With 31 senior players aged over 21, at least six are presently set to be omitted from the Reds' Premier League squad.
And should Liverpool wish to bring in more players, additional stars will have to depart - though only homegrown for homegrown and overseas for overseas. A Jones move to Inter Milan would not create room for Barcola, for instance.
With so many variables in play, it is premature to forecast what the Reds' final squads for the opening half of the campaign might resemble. But with both arrivals and departures necessary, expect matters to intensify throughout the remainder of the month as Liverpool and Iraola seek to complete their preparations.