Liverpool has been advised to sign players in two more positions alongside finding a Mohamed Salah replacement, with Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh among the targets
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool training session
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool training session(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Premier League pundits Troy Deeney and Danny Murphy are in agreement that Liverpool needs more signings before the September 1 transfer deadline, with Bradley Barcola the Reds' chief target.
Fellow wingers Yankuba Minteh and Ibrahim Mbaye have also been considered, with the Anfield side looking to bolster its attacking options, but Deeney and Murphy believe other areas of the pitch need to be strengthened as well.
Curtis Jones is heading to Inter Milan after the Serie A side stepped up its interest in the 25-year-old, and the pair think Liverpool should add a replacement there, with some question marks regarding the depth in other departments too.
"They are decently balanced, although I still think they need an additional left-back and an extra midfielder," Deeney told the BBC.
"Ultimately, they have got one X-factor — Alexander Isak. He is a top goalscorer who has a point to prove because everyone has written him off."
Kostas Tsimikas is the back-up to Milos Kerkez at left-back, while Trey Nyoni could step up in midfield after a very good summer in which he has thrived.
Bradley Barcola in Champions League action for PSG against Liverpool
Bradley Barcola in Champions League action for PSG against Liverpool(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
"Liverpool might need a bit more time before they are challenging for the title again," Murphy added.
"I am also not sure whether they think they have already got enough to replace Mohamed Salah by bringing in Victor Munoz and maybe giving Rio Ngumoha a bigger role, or whether they are really going to go for Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola, or someone like him, in the next few days."
This weekend, Liverpool heads to Newcastle, where it will kick off its new Premier League campaign. Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo are likely to start on the flanks at St. James' Park.
Munoz impressed in the short appearances he made in preseason and could be an impact substitute, but Andoni Iraola still needs more depth across the field to be able to compete on multiple fronts.
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Defensive worries have been alleviated by the arrival of Ronald Araujo and the performance of Jeremy Jacquet against Como, though several key men are sidelined through injury.
Hugo Ekitike will still be out for some time yet, while Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez are among those on the treatment table at the moment.
Liverpool.com says: Everyone knows that the Reds need more attacking options. That is why work is being done on multiple fronts when it comes to attacking signings. The clock is ticking, but getting a couple more transfers over the line would make a huge difference.