lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandBradley Barcola was Liverpool’s primary transfer target
Bradley Barcola was Liverpool’s primary transfer target
Liverpool prioritised strengthening wide areas in the summer transfer market, leading to the signings of Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz.
Here, the Press Association analyses how the squad looks after the window closed.
Significant signings
A day in the life as Bradley becomes a Red 📲 #TeamPixel pic.twitter.com/EDxX5Crrsm
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 31, 2026
Bradley Barcola (Paris St Germain) – £120m
Jeremy Jacquet (Lille) – £60m
Victor Munoz (Osasuna) – £34.5m
Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) – loan
Securing primary target Bradley Barcola required some patience and negotiation but his arrival adds some much-needed pace and quality to the flanks. Strengthening central defence was also a priority following the departure of Ibrahima Konate and the ongoing injury problems of Joe Gomez and that has been addressed by the arrivals of Jacquet and Araujo, whom Liverpool suggest will also provide cover on the right although he does not look like the sort of full-back who would offer much. Spain international Munoz remains an unknown but has at least bolstered a weakened forward line.
Summer departures
Liverpool will have to find a way of replacing Mohamed Salah’s significant contribution to the team
Liverpool will have to find a way of replacing Mohamed Salah’s significant contribution to the team
Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor) – free
Ibrahima Konate (Real Madrid) – free
Andy Robertson (Tottenham) – free
Curtis Jones (Inter Milan) – £30m
Harvey Elliott (Valencia) – loan
On balance Liverpool look weaker than last season, which is a concern considering how that played out, but are relying on new head coach Andoni Iraola to reinvigorate a squad which lost its way and hunger under predecessor Arne Slot. Salah will be the most difficult to replace even if he did under-perform last season, while Jones will not be replaced as Liverpool believe 19-year-old Trey Nyoni has shown the potential to step up.
One to watch
An injury-ravaged debut season limited Isak to just 12 starts in 22 appearances, scoring just four goals. Not only does the 26-year-old need an issue-free campaign personally, it is vital to the team he is fit and firing as the only recognised centre-forward with Hugo Ekitike likely to be out until the new year after Achilles tendon surgery and Mohamed Salah now departed. The Sweden striker has now assumed the role of senior forward so he now needs to lead by example.
Squad strength
The arrival of Barcola has added some much-needed pace to the flanks, although he may also be utilised through the middle. There are still potential issues at right-back, where Jeremie Frimpong has been unconvincing and Conor Bradley is injured, and in central midfield, which still does not have a genuine number six. Iraola will need some luck avoiding injuries, particularly at centre-forward, and has to hope Barcola and Munoz make an immediate impact, unlike last year’s transfer buys.