Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola may get a better idea of the work needed in his squad when Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United on Sunday.
However, he has limited time to make changes, with the transfer window closing on September 1. Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Como last weekend saw new defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo each play 45 minutes, while Victor Munoz came off the bench.
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Attention is now firmly on attacking reinforcements, with Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola Liverpool’s primary target.
There could also be further departures. Cody Gakpo has attracted Premier League interest, while Inter Milan have agreed a deal to sign academy graduate Curtis Jones.
Liverpool defender Luke Chambers is also attracting interest from several clubs, including Portsmouth. Pompey are looking to strengthen at left-back, but manager John Mousinho has declined to confirm whether Chambers is a target. Chambers has come through Liverpool’s academy and could leave on loan before the September 1 deadline.
“There’s a couple of options that we’ve got,’ said the Blues head coach when asked by The News about his search for a left-back. “Things are relatively slow as we wait for a couple of things to develop here and there. But we want to wait for the right player to come in.”
QPR and Blackburn Rovers have reportedly been credited with an interest in Chambers. However, QPR boss Julien Stéphan has since dismissed reports linking the club to the 22-year-old, leaving the door open for Portsmouth and Blackburn to make their move.
Chambers has made four senior appearances for Liverpool. It is understood that Reds boss Andoni Iraola wants to wait until late in the window before sanctioning a move.
Asked whether Portsmouth are actively exploring a deal for the defender, manager John Mousinho declined to comment. “I think you know my answer to that,” Mousinho said before adding: “No comment”.
Portsmouth have already brought in nine new players this summer, with three more expected. However, none of the incoming players are expected to arrive in time to face Lincoln on Saturday.
Mousinho added: “There’ll be no movement before the weekend. We’re working on plenty on both sides (ins and outs), but there won’t be anything. We’ll be selecting from the same squad, in terms of ins and outs, as we did against QPR.”