Andoni Iraola insists he is “very happy” with his defensive options and explained why Liverpool will not sign a right-back, with a “long-term solution” in place.
Liverpool are not expected to bring in another defender before the transfer deadline despite Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez still being sidelined.
With the loan signing of Ronald Araujo, Iraola now believes that, with those players stepping up their recovery work, his options are set.
The head coach told Men in Blazers that he sees Bradley as his “long-term solution” at right-back, as the Northern Irishman eyes a return from a serious knee injury.
Asked about rebuilding Liverpool’s defence and finding a partner to Virgil van Dijk, Iraola said: “We have the advantage of having Virgil.
“Virgil has been one of if not the best defender of the last decade, I would say.
“We have to surround him properly. We think with Jeremy Jacquet, with Leoni, we have the centre-backs that we want here long term.
“We also have the situation with Joe, who covers us centre-back and right-back. We trust also Conor Bradley, I think he’s going to be the long-term solution for the right-back position.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's new signing Ronald Araújo during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's new signing Ronald Araújo during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“So I think it made sense to sign Araujo, because in the end, it’s a player that I knew very well from LaLiga, he’s a centre-back, he can cover us also in the right-back position.
“I’m very happy right now with the position.
“As long as we start recovering Leoni, we start recovering Joe Gomez, I think we’ll be good to go in that defensive side.”
When are Liverpool’s defenders back from injury?
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool players (L-R) Stefan Bajcetic, Giovanni Leoni, Freddie Woodman, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Wataru End? and Hugo Ekitike before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Gomez is set to be the first of Liverpool’s three injured defenders back fit, with the new vice-captain expected back imminently after suffering a muscle injury in pre-season.
He will then be followed by Leoni, with The Athletic‘s Gregg Evans reporting that the Italian centre-back could rejoin full training by the end of this month and potentially return to the pitch in September.
Liverpool are particularly cautious around Bradley, but the current belief is that the 23-year-old may be ready to return around late October or into November.
It remains a long-term process for Iraola’s first-choice right-back but there is clearly a feeling that he can regain top form after such a significant injury.
In the meantime, Jeremie Frimpong will start at right-back with Araujo and Gomez available as backup.
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 12
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v Como 1907
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet celebrates with team-mates after scoring the second goal on his debut during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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