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)
Andoni Iraola appears open to Liverpool adding to their squad in the January transfer window, but insists it is “not a moment to look back” on their summer.
Liverpool ended the summer transfer window with question marks over a number of areas in the squad, not least right-back and in midfield.
While Ronald Araujo has stepped up admirably out of position and Alexis Mac Allister has strengthened the middle of the park, those concerns remain.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham, Iraola suggested he would be open to new additions in January, though he stressed it was “not a moment to look backwards.”
“Now is not a moment to look backwards to the market. When the January market opens, we will see where we are,” he said.
“But I think we have very good players, we have a good squad and now is the moment for us to find the balance, find the right combinations so everyone can look even better than the player he is.
“We have to [work out] how the team has to play well collectively and then everyone will look better.
“If we are not well-drilled, if the timings are not there, everyone looks worse than he is. It’s the opposite.
“Everyone has to add a little bit, because we need to help our team-mates, our players, look better.”
Who could leave Liverpool in January?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola speaks to substitute Federico Chiesa (L) 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: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola speaks to substitute Federico Chiesa (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Iraola is right to focus on the present as there is little use in bemoaning any failings in the transfer market just gone.
But it is clear that Liverpool will continue to explore opportunities ahead of the January window, particularly as a handful of players are likely to be available for the right price.
Among those will be Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa, who were both left out of the Champions League squad due to restrictions on registering senior players.
Chiesa is currently sidelined through injury but was widely expected to leave in the summer, only for a lack of concrete interest in a forward who has featured sparsely since joining from Juventus in 2024.
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Wataru End? waving to the supporters before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Meanwhile, Iraola made clear after the 0-0 draw with Fulham on Saturday that, while Endo is a valuable player, there are already at least four midfielders ahead of him in the pecking order.
In his pre-Tottenham press conference, the head coach revealed that Conor Bradley is “not close” to rejoining team training but had “started touching the ball” again after a serious knee injury in January.
Bradley’s recovery in the coming months could influence Liverpool’s decision on signing another right-back, particularly as Jeremie Frimpong is clearly not of the standard required.
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Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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