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Liverpool’s 2026/27 squad depth – Did the summer window leave Iraola short?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz celebrates on his debut with team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Kostas Tsimikas after scoring his side's second and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool bid farewell to long-standing senior players over the summer and added only four new faces to Andoni Iraola’s dressing room, leaving squad depth finely balanced.

The Reds saw Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones depart from last season’s squad, with Stefan Bajcetic also leaving and Harvey Elliott sent on another loan.

On the incoming front, Liverpool added Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo (loan), Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola, forgoing any midfield or specialist full-back additions.

With fundamental needs left unaddressed, plenty of criticism has been directed at departed sporting director Richard Hughes, with fears Iraola has been left shorthanded.

Liverpool are still waiting on the injury returns of Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike, but none of the trio can be expected to shoulder responsibility after their respective serious injuries.

Here, we can see the Reds’ squad depth after the conclusion of the transfer window:

Goalkeepers: 4

Defenders: 9

Midfielders: 7

Forwards: 8

Goalkeepers

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper substitutes Freddie Woodman, Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.?. and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. Galatasaray won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Jaros (inj)

Alisson remains the undisputed number one, but Giorgi Mamardashvili’s suitability remains questionable, and he will likely get a run in the side at some stage due to Alisson’s injury issues.

Freddie Woodman offers experienced depth, and Vitezslav Jaros is capable of being the No. 2 but is currently sidelined until late 2026 with a serious knee injury.

Verdict: The one area there’s no true concerns.

Defenders

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araújo reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Van Dijk, Jacquet, Leoni, Araujo, Gomez, Bradley (inj), Frimpong, Kerkez, Tsimikas

While nine players look a solid contingent on paper, the profiles are not perfectly balanced.

With Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni to come back from serious leg injuries, they will have to be handled with care and will compromise others.

Right-back was neglected in the window, though Araujo has stepped up to displace Jeremie Frimpong, and Joe Gomez is available when fit – but none cleanly fit Iraola’s ideal profile for the role.

Question marks remain over Milos Kerkez and his deputy Kostas Tsimikas, with the pair needing to find a balance between being the energiser and disciplined.

Verdict: Centre-back now actually looks very good, but full backs are extremely questionable – even if Araujo provides a good solid option in the interim.

Midfielders

CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola speaks with Ryan Gravenberch during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Nyoni, Endo, McConnell

The decision not to sign a defensive midfielder leaves Iraola heavy on attack-minded players and limited rotation options.

With Jones gone, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell will act as backup to Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, while Wataru Endo is again out of favour.

Liverpool’s No. 8, however, has already had to play at right-back this season – and whether that should be his position, or anywhere but central midfield, is worth debating.

Verdict: The regular first choice options don’t complement each other or provide what’s required, but a pairing of Nyoni and Mac Allister would – but then what do you do about Szoboszlai?!

Forwards

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz (R) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Isak, Barcola, Ekitike (inj), Gakpo, Munoz, Ngumoha, Koumas, Chiesa

Barcola brings dynamism and much-needed pace, but he adds to the heavy left-sided dominance in the forward line, with Salah not directly replaced on the right.

Hugo Ekitike’s injury rehabilitation puts pressure on Alexander Isak to stay fit, and Iraola will be asking a lot from Cody Gakpo, Munoz and Rio Ngumoha for goals and assists.

Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns have potential but are still young and far from being a proven source of goals – not that they should have an expectation to provide them.

Federico Chiesa, meanwhile, often suffers from illness or fitness issues and has seen Iraola prefer others over him. The Italian is perhaps a cup option, but far from the head coach’s mind otherwise.

Verdict: If they can be provided service from midfield, Liverpool’s attacking options are actually excellent and Iraola should always have some quality options from the bench.

Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Chelsea FC

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha is challenged by Chelsea's Malo Gusto (L) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

szobo nyoni macca iraola

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