KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool are reportedly planning a shift in their transfer policy, aiming to target ‘Premier League-ready players’ after moving away from their identity.
Without factoring in sales, the club have spent over £697 million across the last two transfer windows, and yet holes in the squad remain.
Now-former sporting director Richard Hughes – who has since taken up a role with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia – has come under increasing scrutiny for the direction of Liverpool’s transfers.
The jury will remain out until the wider impact of those he signed becomes apparent over the next few years, but he oversaw a shift from tactical fit toward individual ‘stars’.
And according to the Athletic‘s David Ornstein, Liverpool now want “to get back to recruiting top Premier League-ready players” under the next sporting director.
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It comes amid the feeling that “Liverpool got away from their identity, their style of play,” with individuals signed for their talent rather than the bigger picture of their place in the squad.
And it will come into the club’s thinking as they assess candidates to step into the role Hughes vacated, with the next wave of signings key to sustaining Andoni Iraola’s style of play.
Ornstein notes the Reds’ “financial situation seems pretty decent, even though they try to run a sustainable model,” suggesting funds will be available for the right players.
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Monaco's Lamine Camara during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Monaco's Lamine Camara during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After forgoing any midfield signings in the summer in favour of investing in attack, Liverpool are expected to address the position next year.
The Reds have “credible” interest in Monaco’s Lamine Camara, 22, who would have been considered if Alexis Mac Allister left the club.
He had a deadline day move to Chelsea collapse, and will be expected to be watched closely by Liverpool and other clubs ahead of the January and summer window.
Ornstein also name-checked Roma’s Manu Kone and suggested the club “like him…as one of their potential future options.”
The Reds were linked to the 25-year-old during their most recent midfield rebuild in the summer preceding Jurgen Klopp’s exit, but a move never eventuated.
Liverpool also ‘looked’ at Bournemouth’s Alex Scott over the summer, along with Chelsea, and Ornstein “could see” the Reds revisiting it.
All would tick the box as ‘Premier League-ready players’, but when and whether Liverpool revisit any will depend on who steps into the role as sporting director.
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Football – UEFA Champions League – Liverpool FC v Atlético Madrid – MD-1
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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