The Liverpool ECHO speaks to David James about transfers and the position Giorgi Mamardashvili finds himself in
Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on August 23, 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. /
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during his side's 2-2 opening weekend draw at Newcastle United (Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
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David James agrees with Andoni Iraola that the midfield issues the new Liverpool head coach encountered in his first official game in charge would not be solved by a late foray into the transfer market.
One of the big talking points raised by pundits and supporters following the 2-2 draw at Newcastle United on Sunday was just how open the Reds were in the middle of the park.
That has led to calls for the club to supply Iraola with a true defensive midfielder before the transfer window closes on Tuesday. However, the Liverpool boss has again reiterated it is an issue he can solve internally.
Speaking in his press conference to preview Saturday's home clash with Nottingham Forest, Iraola said: "We don't want to lose the offensive side, the fluidity, the arrival with numbers, but we were punished the other day especially with the first goal we didn't do a proper lockdown.
"We have been intently working on it. It's nothing new, we always want to control that. But there is a balance, we can't go from one way where we send a lot of people forward to putting everyone back so we don't arrive with numbers and everything looks stale.
"It's a matter of identifying the situation. The players who are very good, they smell when there is real danger, whether they can take the risk of going or whether they can stay, it's the quality of the player who takes those decisions."
And James, who made 277 appearances for the Reds during the 1990s, agrees with the stance Iraola is taking.
He said: "I’m not surprised that Liverpool aren’t looking to buy a defensive midfielder this window. It is getting talked about due to the way they got exposed at times against Newcastle. However, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were all there when Liverpool won the league, and nobody said they needed a defensive midfielder then.
"I think what may need tweaking is the way they are playing. They all looked too focused on getting up the pitch on Sunday, and that is why they got exposed on the counter.
"A couple of small tweaks in coaching or communication between the players will sort this problem. Not every issue requires a new signing just because it’s the transfer window, Liverpool’s midfield is more than strong enough to compete with the very best in the league."
Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola are both liked by Liverpool
Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola are both liked by Liverpool
One area of the field the Reds are looking to strengthen over the next five days is on the wings.
They have reached an outline agreement with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal worth more than £100m for Bradley Barcola and they are also looking to sign another wide player.
And when asked what his transfer priorities would be, James said: "I think Liverpool could do with some more squad depth, but I don’t think they need to go out and spend hundreds of millions on new signings either. It’s clear the club has a plan for how they want the next two years to go, and I think they are looking to avoid making mistakes by panic-buying in the transfer window.
"I think staying flexible with players is a big advantage for them right now. I think if they do go looking to add depth to their defence or bolster the attack, they should utilise the loan market. It sounds crazy to say this for a club of Liverpool's stature, but I think it’s the right move for them right now. It provides them with flexibility, they don’t have to commit to signing anyone they are unsure about permanently.
"That seems like the vibe around Liverpool right now. Iraola is on a two-year deal, not a five-plus-year deal. This says to me the club isn’t looking to commit long term. If that’s the case, then they should be doing the same thing when it comes to signing players before the end of this transfer window."
The Reds have already made use of the loan market, bringing in Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo in for the season to help marshal a defence that continues to play in front of Alisson Becker.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 13, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman during a Liverpool training session at AXA Training Centre on February 13, 2026 (Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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There has been strong suggestions that the goalkeeper was ready to join fellow modern-day Liverpool legends Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson in leaving the club this summer with Juventus heavily rumoured to want to sign him.
But Alisson will remain at Anfield for one more year at least, which raises question marks over how Giorgi Mamardashvili, who completed a £29m move from Valencia last summer, will feel over the likelihood of spending another season as back-up.
Former England No.1 James, speaking to the Liverpool ECHO via LiveFootballTickets, said: "I think Giorgi Mamardashvili is in a very difficult position at Liverpool. He’s currently playing second fiddle to one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and he is forced to be patient.
"It could be hard for Mamardashvili to ever feel confident about taking Allison’s position full-time, but Allison has proved over the last few years that fitness can be an issue at times.
"If Allison’s fitness does become an issue at any point, then all Mamardashvili can do is put together a solid string of performances to give the manager a headache when Allison returns to the side.
"He will be frustrated as he is a great keeper, but he knew when he signed that Allison was the number one. I’m sure one day he’ll get the chance to prove his worth at Liverpool."