Liverpool are already planning for future transfer windows after a challenging summer. Andoni Iraola has inherited a squad with some clear gaps and areas of imbalance that will need addressing.
The January transfer window could provide an opportunity to strengthen, while further changes may follow next summer.
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Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder James Balagizi has officially confirmed his departure from the club. Balagizi joined Liverpool from Manchester City as an Under-11 and signed his first professional contract in 2020.
He had loan spells with Crawley Town, Wigan Athletic, Kilmarnock and Forest Green Rovers, but injuries disrupted his development.
The midfielder made five appearances and scored twice for Liverpool’s Under-21s in 2024/25 before spending the first half of last season on loan at Forest Green. He was released by Liverpool in the summer of 2026.
Despite being released, James Balagizi was part of the first group to report back to the AXA Training Centre in July and worked in the gym alongside Rob Page’s squad.
The versatile midfielder saw his loan spell at Forest Green Rovers cut short in January after suffering a hamstring injury, which could explain his continued presence at the AXA.
Balagizi has struggled for regular football in recent seasons, making just 31 appearances for the Under-21s and during loan spells at Kilmarnock and Wigan.
The 22-year-old posted on his Instagram page on Monday: “From 11 to 22, it’s been an honour to represent this special club throughout a large part of my life.
“I’m so grateful and fortunate for all of the experiences I’ve had over the years. A massive thank you to everyone who has been on this journey alongside me — teammates, coaches and staff.
“This is a period I’ll always look back on fondly, with many ups, downs and lessons learned. Hopefully, I can use all of these experiences to help shape the rest of my professional career. I’d also like to thank everyone who has supported me in any capacity. YNWA.”
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