Liverpool welcomed four new first-team arrivals this summer, but have the club given new boss Andoni Iraola enough options?
Liverpool welcomed four new first-team arrivals this summer, but have the club given new boss Andoni Iraola enough options?(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Hiring Andoni Iraola to replace Arne Slot back in June was never going to solve everything for Liverpool. Not only were the Reds still waiting for several of their big-money purchases from last season to settle, but gaping holes in the squad were left by the departures of Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson.
Liverpool already had replacements en route for two of those departures - Jeremy Jacquet having agreed to join from Rennes in January and Kostas Tsimikas returning from his loan at Roma - but the high-intensity style of the incoming head coach had led supporters to suspect that a more robust squad would be required.
The Reds' priorities were laid out early: at least one winger and possibly a right-back. Though priorities shifted somewhat on the second of those positions, Liverpool instead signing centre-back Ronald Araujo on loan with a view to also covering on the right, Iraola has welcomed two new wingers in Victor Munoz and French international Bradley Barcola into the fold.
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As well as the three contract expiry departures, Liverpool have also since lost Curtis Jones from last season's squad, the Scouser joining Inter Milan on a permanent transfer, while Harvey Elliott has departed on another loan to Valencia after returning from a difficult season out at Aston Villa.
It has been nothing like the scale of last summer's overhaul, but the seniority of the names to depart and the Reds' continued struggles on the pitch have understandably left many supporters wondering if Iraola has everything he needs at his disposal to face a long season in which Liverpool hopefully return to challenging on multiple fronts.
Have the Reds done enough? Or will the club's recruitment team be left to rue missed opportunities and plan for more change in the winter window?
Goalkeeper
Mamardashvili and Woodman are No. 2 and No. 3 respectively behind Alisson in terms of Liverpool's goalkeeping options this season
Mamardashvili and Woodman are No. 2 and No. 3 respectively behind Alisson in terms of Liverpool's goalkeeping options this season(Image: PA)
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Senior options: Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Vitezslav Jaros, Harvey Davies
Liverpool are stacked in goal and could quite feasibly register five senior goalkeepers in their Premier League squad for the season, though the club could opt to omit at least one of Vitezslav Jaros and Harvey Davies and register one of the peripheral trio of Isaac Mabaya, Owen Beck and Kaide Gordon in their place should any of those players be deemed fit or capable enough to be an option.
Davies is expected to be offered a contract extension and stay at the club until at least January as a training goalkeeper with Jaros out with a long-term injury, and his experience is seen as valuable having been around the first-team picture for the last five years.
Alisson is the undisputed first choice, Giorgi Mamardashvili having thus far failed to live up to expectations after his arrival from Valencia a year ago, but the Georgian will no doubt have more opportunities to prove himself if the Brazilian's patchy injury record rears its head once again.
At third-choice, Freddie Woodman has proven a popular figure since arriving from Preston North End, and is more than capable of filling in in the short-term should he be required.
Alisson's contract will, however, expire next year - and Liverpool are planning for the long-term with the signing of 18-year-old, 6'7" Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, who will arrive in summer 2027 after spending another year at his current club, KRC Genk.
Right-back
Frimpong has started the season as Liverpool's first-choice right-back but Araujo and Szoboszlai (also pictured) are other options for the position
Frimpong has started the season as Liverpool's first-choice right-back but Araujo and Szoboszlai (also pictured) are other options for the position(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Senior options: Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez
Options out of position: Ronald Araujo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremy Jacquet, Wataru Endo, James McConnell
Youth options: Lucas Pitt
In theory, Liverpool have a whole host of players capable of playing at right-back, but no real available specialists. Conor Bradley would be first-choice in the position if fit, but the Northern Ireland captain suffered a serious knee injury against Arsenal last season and Iraola described him as "months" away from a return when asked back in July.
For now, at least, Liverpool must plan for life without him. The current incumbent in the position - Jeremie Frimpong - was signed as part of the post-title spree last summer, but hasn't yet proven his suitability in a more traditional right-back role having performed to devastating effect as a right wing-back under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
A more defensively solid option would be Joe Gomez, but the versatile defender is currently out with an injury of his own that saw him miss all but 10 minutes of Liverpool's pre-season; though this particular knock is not expected to be a long-term problem, the 29-year-old's tendency to pick up frequent injuries most definitely is.
Araujo played several games at right-back for Barcelona last season and could be used there in an emergency, but is currently the Reds' only available back-up centre-back and is unlikely to be handed many minutes there while Gomez and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable.
Some supporters have called for Dominik Szoboszlai to play more regularly as a right-back, the Hungary captain having flattered to deceive so far this season in a double pivot in midfield - but it seems unlikely this will be his long-term role.
Jacquet, Wataru Endo and James McConnell have all featured at right-back at least once in their careers, but will likely only be used as break-glass solutions, while Iraola may want to keep an eye on the development of Lucas Pitt, who can play across the defensive line but featured for just three minutes in pre-season.
The 21-year-old right-back Isaac Mabaya made his Liverpool debut in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Plymouth in Slot's title-winning season, but his age would require him to be registered as a senior player and he has started the season with Liverpool's Under-21s.
Centre-back
Jacquet has slotted straight into Liverpool's defence alongside van Dijk and has so far impressed with his positioning and use of the ball
Jacquet has slotted straight into Liverpool's defence alongside van Dijk and has so far impressed with his positioning and use of the ball(Image: Getty Images)
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Senior options: Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo, Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni
Options out of position: Luke Chambers, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch
Youth options: Mor Talla Ndiaye, Lucas Pitt
Liverpool face more unwanted succession planning when it comes to club captain Virgil van Dijk, who - like Alisson - is entering the final year of his contract.
Van Dijk turned 35 over the summer and no longer possesses the sprinter's pace that was once central to his game, but is still a tremendous defender and could yet sign a new contract should he recover his consistency after a noticeable dip last season.
Starting the season alongside him is Jacquet, the £60m signing from Rennes who has oozed potential in his two outings to date, while Ronald Araujo is another option capable of being first-choice alongside the Dutchman.
There are still high hopes for Leoni, but patience must be afforded the Italian who is yet to return from an ACL tear. Gomez, therefore, will likely be fourth-choice upon his own injury return, but his status in the pecking order could be affected by Liverpool's depth at right-back.
Luke Chambers forced his way into Iraola's thinking with five strong performances in pre-season and has stuck around despite loan interest, though the 22-year-old is a left-back by trade and will likely have his best chance of minutes in the cup competitions.
Endo was a regular centre-back prior to making the move to Europe, and has featured there on occasion while at Liverpool, but he and Ryan Gravenberch will predominantly be viewed as midfield options despite the Dutchman often being switched to the centre of defence mid-game in Slot's final season.
Mor Talla Ndiaye is available for selection having been granted a work permit under the Elite Significant Contribution criteria, but has started the season in the U21s alongside fellow youth option Pitt.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe was a highlight of pre-season but will spend the year on loan at Levante having failed to secure a work permit.
Left-back
Kerkez is no longer looking over his shoulder to see Andy Robertson breathing down his neck, but with his newfound status as Liverpool's undisputed left-back comes the weight of expectation
Kerkez is no longer looking over his shoulder to see Andy Robertson breathing down his neck, but with his newfound status as Liverpool's undisputed left-back comes the weight of expectation(Image: Getty Images)
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Senior options: Milos Kerkez, Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez, Luke Chambers
Youth options: Lucas Pitt
Milos Kerkez was expected to benefit from the appointment of his former boss Iraola, who he worked with at Bournemouth, but like many of Liverpool's players he has shown signs of needing time to adapt to the new system.
Without the guidance of the experienced Robertson, Kerkez will need to make the step up this season, but will be supported by 'Greek Scouser' Tsimikas, now one of just a handful of established first-team players leftover from the Jurgen Klopp era.
Gomez started his Liverpool career at left-back all the way back in 2015, but is likely to only be an emergency option in the position. Chambers could target a start in his preferred position in the cup games, but may still find himself on the bench if the hierarchy between Kerkez and Tsimikas remains decisively in the Hungarian's favour.
Pitt is comfortable on both feet and has started the Premier League 2 season as a left-back, which could point to him being considered as a future option in the position for the first team.
The 24-year-old Beck, the great-nephew of Ian Rush, is still at the club after suffering a setback in his recovery from a long-term hamstring injury over the summer; he is likely to feature as an overage player in the U21s if at all before seeking a permanent exit in January.
Midfield pivot
Ryan Gravenberch should be the Liverpool player best suited to the midfield double-pivot - getting the best out of him could be key to the Reds' hopes
Ryan Gravenberch should be the Liverpool player best suited to the midfield double-pivot - getting the best out of him could be key to the Reds' hopes(Image: Getty Images)
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Senior options: Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Trey Nyoni, Wataru Endo, James McConnell
The double-pivot has become a source of concern for Liverpool supporters who were hoping for improvements after a troubling campaign for Liverpool's midfielders last time out.
The Reds opted against signing a specialist defensive midfielder in the transfer window and will tackle at least the first half of the new campaign with a more technical pairing in the centre of the pitch.
Szoboszlai started both of Iraola's first two Premier League games as Liverpool head coach in the pivot to mixed effect, while Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have been handed a start apiece.
There are hopes that young Trey Nyoni can build on an exciting pre-season to make himself a regular option in the position, given he offers something the first-choice trio do not - the instinct to stay behind the ball and dictate play with his passing through the lines.
With Liverpool electing not to replace Jones directly, the onus is on Nyoni to seize his opportunity and become a serious contender for starts.
Endo is another option but is more likely to be called upon for bespoke scenarios where Liverpool need a defence-first option, while 2024 League Cup hero James McConnell will hope to get the chance to put a disappointing loan at Ajax behind him and force himself back into the reckoning.
Attacking midfield/second striker
Florian Wirtz must raise his level in his second season at Liverpool, with last year's Player of the Season Dominik Szoboszlai also preferring the attacking midfielder role
Florian Wirtz must raise his level in his second season at Liverpool, with last year's Player of the Season Dominik Szoboszlai also preferring the attacking midfielder role(Image: Getty Images)
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Senior options: Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Lewis Koumas
Options out of position: Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch, James McConnell
Youth options: Josh Sonni-Lambie
This is the season when Florian Wirtz needs to show everyone why Liverpool smashed their transfer record to sign him last year, and despite an underwhelming first season at Anfield he has all of the tools to do so.
Now playing in a second striker role under Iraola, the hope will be that being deployed in a consistent position close to Alexander Isak will give Wirtz the stability he needs to start pulling the strings and become the main man in Liverpool's attack.
Szoboszlai was Liverpool's Player of the Season last time out, largely as a No. 10, and can be trusted to play higher up should Iraola decide to go forward with the Hungarian at the tip of the midfield, while Mac Allister's more technical interpretation of the role is a useful option.
Lewis Koumas was another winner of pre-season and has made himself an option in four positions across the attack, but will need to exceed all expectations to secure a long-term role as part of the senior squad and will likely remain an option in reserve with more minutes targeted in the cup competitions.
Cody Gakpo was denied his move away despite interest from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, but his performance on the right wing against Nottingham Forest showed his professionalism amid the noise and he could feasibly play a role at No. 10 as he did at times under Klopp should Liverpool - touch wood - face any kind of injury crisis, as could Gravenberch or to a lesser extent McConnell.
Josh Sonni-Lambie managed two cameos over the course of pre-season and will continue his promising development with the U21s, though he can play across the attack and at No. 10 should he be given the opportunity.
Elliott could have made a claim to be Wirtz's backup upon his return from Villa, but the 23-year-old has instead been given the opportunity to play regularly on loan at Valencia for the 2026-27 season.
Colombian youngster Samuel Martinez will arrive in July next year having already been hailed as one of the most promising players in his age group for the No. 10 spot.
Winger
Bradley Barcola was eventually signed from PSG for £123m but Liverpool did not manage to land a specialist right winger in the transfer market
Bradley Barcola was eventually signed from PSG for £123m but Liverpool did not manage to land a specialist right winger in the transfer market(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Senior options: Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz, Rio Ngumoha, Federico Chiesa, Lewis Koumas
Options out of position: Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai
Youth options: Josh Abe, Josh Sonni-Lambie
Bradley Barcola was the headline name among Liverpool's incomings this summer, but he was not the Reds' first choice replacement for Salah. Yan Diomande was the target picked out to directly fill the Egyptian King's old position on the right, but the 19-year-old ultimately joined Real Madrid in a £120m deal.
Liverpool secured their own blockbuster signing when signing Barcola for £123m, though, with the Frenchman a long-term target in his own right having been admired last summer when Luis Diaz left for Bayern Munich.
Gakpo's showing against Forest suggests he could be an option on either side, with Barcola likely to take up starting duties in his preferred position on the left, while Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha will also contest for a starting spot.
All of Liverpool's wingers will likely be expected to play on either side as the game requires it, which suits understudies Koumas and Federico Chiesa.
Wirtz, Frimpong and Szoboszlai could also be options in wide areas if Iraola deems them suitable, while youngsters Sonni-Lambie and Josh Abe will hope for opportunities off the bench in the early stages of the cup competitions.
Gordon would now have to be registered as a senior player to feature for the first team, having turned 21 in October last year. He is unlikely to feature and will surely seek a permanent departure upon his return from the meniscus injury he suffered in December.
Striker
After Liverpool rejected approaches for Gakpo late in the transfer window, the Dutchman will likely serve as the primary understudy for Isak up front
After Liverpool rejected approaches for Gakpo late in the transfer window, the Dutchman will likely serve as the primary understudy for Isak up front(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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Senior options: Alexander Isak, Federico Chiesa, Lewis Koumas
Options out of position: Cody Gakpo, Bradley Barcola
Youth options: Jayden Danns, Will Wright, Josh Sonni-Lambie
Hugo Ekitike's arrival last summer may have been overshadowed by the signings of Isak and Wirtz, but the Frenchman was the standout amongst Liverpool's new recruits in 2025.
The 24-year-old is out long term with a serious Achilles tendon injury, though, and his involvement in any capacity this season cannot be taken for granted.
In his absence, the pressure is on Isak to live up to his £125m price tag. The Swede has already got amongst the goals this season, scoring against Forest, but will need to avoid any further substantial injuries if Liverpool are to make a good fist of the new campaign.
The question of cover was eased somewhat with the decision to reject approaches for Gakpo, who produced some of his best football at Liverpool in a false nine role under Klopp, while Chiesa is a player who appears to more readily enjoy playing centrally than the Dutchman.
Koumas has featured as a central striker for Wales and appeared there in pre-season for Liverpool. His endeavour will make him a good fit for Iraola's pressing system but it remains to be seen if he has the quality to make himself a regular option from the bench, though he should be optimistic of a decent number of minutes in the cup competitions.
At 6'0", Barcola has the height of a central striker, and his ability to time his runs in behind would make him a good option if Iraola needs a striker who can stretch defences but, though he has played as a No.9 for PSG, the physicality of the Premier League is several levels above Ligue 1 and he may struggle to shrug off centre-backs quite as easily in England.
In reserve, Jayden Danns and Will Wright will be hoping to make an impression if called upon. Liverpool have high hopes for the duo and Danns was unfortunate to miss out on pre-season through injury as there is definitely an opening for at least one of them to force their way into Iraola's plans.
Sonni-Lambie has started the Premier League 2 season on the left wing but scored 19 goals for the academy last season, mainly operating in a central role, while 18-year-old French striker Djylian N'Guessan will sign for the Reds next summer from Saint-Etienne.
As is the case in several positions throughout the squad, Liverpool have left themselves in a position where they are relying on their first-choice options to stay fit - but there is also a lot of pressure on fringe players to reach the levels required if the Reds are to compete on multiple fronts.