With the transfer window closed and the Reds in action at Ipswich on Friday night, we checked in what our Reds Jury to see how they're feeling
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool at Anfield on August 31, 2026 in Anfield, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool at Anfield on August 31, 2026 in Anfield, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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With the transfer window closed and four new arrivals through the door, Liverpool can now look ahead to the rest of the season under Andoni Iraola.
Back-to-back draws with Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest to start the season may not have been perfect, but the arrival of Bradley Barcola has stirred plenty of excitement ahead of Friday's trip to Ipswich Town.
Here 's how our Reds Jury are feeling heading into the clash at Portman Road.
James Noble
There’s a clarity following the Champions Legaue draw and closure of the transfer window, yet the coming weeks and months still look set to be a journey of discovery, potentially on several levels, from a Liverpool perspective.
That will likely present difficulties but can certainly also be a source of excitement. Monday’s confirmation of Bradley Barcola’s arrival was very much the latter. The Olympique Lyonnais academy graduate’s addition gives the Reds’ attack, and, quite possibly, Friday night’s trip to Ipswich Town, thrilling fresh dimensions – even if, as seems likeliest, any contribution from the 24-year-old at Portman Road comes as a substitute.
Saturday’s 2-2 Anfield draw with Nottingham Forest brought further promising responses to another sluggish opening. Cody Gakpo, who pleasingly remains at the club, Víctor Muñoz, Florian Wirtz and Trey Nyoni’s contributions were among the most encouraging.
Understandably, debate around the squad’s depth, durability and balance continues. Good cases can be made for the likes of more left-footers and greater midfield variety, although injury returnees and rotation may, effectively, enhance our options as 2026/27 progresses.
With Atlético Madrid visiting Anfield on Wednesday night, the first of three consecutive home matches, this coming spell represents a great chance to set a productive tone in the Premier League, in Europe, on the pitch and in the stands.
Rhys Buchanan
It was emotional being back at Anfield last weekend. How nice is it to slip back into all those rituals and see familiar faces after a long summer. I felt we were desperately unlucky not to grab the three points in the end and weren't helped the officials involved.
The truth is, it's far too early in the season to be moaning about that though and I bounced out the stadium with a glass half full. I was impressed by all of the new signings but we can't not talk about Victor Munoz who bagged a stunning strike in front of the Kop.
It was nice to see free-flowing direct football again and that will only blossom further with Bradley Barcola. Three points feels vital to get us properly up and running tonight in what will be a tough away game.
Matthew Whitty
I suspect most Liverpool fans reached the end of the window with the same mix of excitement and a few questions. One is balance, this time left to right.
We have plenty of attackers who prefer the left and no obvious natural right winger. On paper, that’s the clearest gap, but I’m more optimistic than concerned. No club gets everything it wants, and “winning the transfer window” is probably an even worse guide to the season ahead than winning the Community Shield.
There are already clues that the right side can work differently. Gakpo has hurt teams from there, assisting when starting on the right and scoring after drifting over. Munoz has won a penalty and scored a worldie too.
Then there’s Barcola. He brings pace, 1v1 threat and that sense something could happen whenever he gets the ball. If teams start doubling up on him, that will leave whoever plays on the right with a little more room.
If last season drifted into boredom, this one has the ingredients for an exciting, imperfect season of change. There’ll be chaos and we may need patience, but I’m happy to swap the transfer-window buzz for the real thing.