Liverpool could give Andoni Iraola a deadly first XI if the club acts on transfer deadline day
Andoni Iraola, manager of Bournemouth, celebrates during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth at the City Ground in Nottingham
Liverpool will be hoping for a dream end to the transfer window(Image: (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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Liverpool have had a slow start to the season, but they could address some major issues on transfer deadline day. The Reds drew with Newcastle 2-2 on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
They followed that up with another frustrating 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday. There have been positives: Andoni Iraola looks to have found two confident youngsters who are more than ready to step up to the first XI in Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz.
Bradley Barcola should also fit into Iraola's plans with the Frenchman finally signing for the club from PSG. What follows in the window will most likely determine just how much Iraola's squad improves this season. Here, we take a look at what Liverpool's first XI could be if they get their way on transfer deadline day.
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker joined the Reds in August 2018 and has become, arguably, the greatest goalkeeper in the club’s history. While he has dealt with his fair share of injuries in recent seasons, on his day, there aren’t many better than the Brazilian, even at 33.
Giorgi Mamardashvili has deputised to varying degrees of success, but the Georgian has ultimately failed to convince so far. The club are closing in on a £30m deal for 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, although he is expected to remain in Belgium for the forthcoming campaign.
This means Alisson will continue between the sticks for the remainder of this season, as he has done for the club's opening two games.
Defence
French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, bought from Rennes in January for £60m, appears to be Virgil van Dijk's new defensive partner after starting the first two games of the new campaign.
Onto the full-back positions and with Conor Bradley expected to be out for some time yet, after he picked up an injury against Arsenal late last season, Jeremie Frimpong will continue to start at right-back.
Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk before Liverpool vs Como.
Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk before Liverpool vs Como.(Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
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However, the Dutch star's performances will have to pick up after a lacklustre start this season. Dominik Szoboszlai has been touted by some fans to resume his place at right-back after he deputised their last season.
But Iraola, so far, fancies Liverpool's No. 8 in the centre of the pitch. On the other side of the defence, Milos Kerkez will be the undisputed starting left-back following Andy Robertson's departure.
Midfield
The central duo for Iraola perhaps picks itself as Ryan Gravenberch fits in alongside Szoboszlai, with the Dutchman sitting slightly deeper in his typical No. 6 role. Although the former was dropped for Saturday's draw with Forest, after gifting two goals away against the Magpies a week earlier.
Ahead of those two will be Florian Wirtz, with the German star given a licence to roam and link up with the front 3, as he did to decent effect against Forest in the 2-2 draw.
Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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The Reds have other options in the centre of the pitch, including Alexis Mac Allister, who can rival Gravenberch for the central midfield spot. Yet they aren't stocked with first-teamers battling for the position.
However, they are not thought to be interested in addressing their engine room further in this window, despite Curtis Jones's departure to Inter Milan.
Stefan Bajcetic is also believed to be close to leaving the club on a permanent deal, while Harvey Elliott is reportedly exiting Anfield with a loan to Valencia. That leaves Wataru Endo, currently injured, as well as James McConnell and Trey Nyoni to help pad out Iraola's central unit.
Attack
The deadly duo of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak is yet to ignite thanks to injuries, and that partnership still won't get to shine until the former makes a full recovery from a ruptured Achilles.
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This means Isak, who scored his first goal of the season at the weekend against Forest, will be flanked by new signing Bradley Barcola on the left, with Cody Gakpo's pending departure to Manchester City surely just a matter of time.
Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring goal during a UEFA Europa Conference League match
Liverpool have been linked with Crystal Palace attacker Ismaila Sarr(Image: Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
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Barcola's understudy will be teenage star Rio Ngumoha. On the right, it appears to be a choice between Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr and Brighton's Yankuba Minteh.
The Reds are yet to replace Mohamed Salah on that side of the pitch, and Minteh has been of strong interest. At the moment, Sarr looks the most likely with the Reds testing Palace with a £50m offer so far.
However, in a dream scenario, it appears the Reds would prefer to sign Minteh despite having had two bids for the Gambian international rejected.
Liverpool's dream XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Barcola, Minteh, Isak.