Liverpool needed to add…

In his inaugural press conference as Liverpool manager, Andoni Iraola made a candid admission, stating, “We need more players. We understand this, and the club is working on it.”

This acknowledgment came on July 13, as the summer transfer window provided an opportunity to rectify the squad’s shortcomings that saw them finish fifth last season while defending their Premier League title. Yet, with the transfer deadline now passed, it appears that Iraola has inherited many of the same issues as his predecessor, with various needs still unmet.

In terms of player numbers, Liverpool’s roster is currently weaker compared to last year. The arrivals of four new first-team players have been overshadowed by the notable departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konaté, and Curtis Jones. Additionally, fringe players like Calvin Ramsay and Stefan Bajcetic have also departed, while midfielder Harvey Elliott has moved to LaLiga side Valencia on a season-long loan.

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While the latter trio have played minimal roles for Liverpool in recent years, the Reds have clearly not prioritized squad depth at a time when the demands of elite football are escalating—something champions Arsenal demonstrated last season. As Iraola prepares to manage in the UEFA Champions League for the first time, he continues to express his need for reinforcements.

“We will certainly sign more players,” he shared with Sky Sports on August 21. “Some deals take time and need to be finalized by the end. However, the crucial picture will be available on September 1, as we know we are still relatively thin.”

Since then, Liverpool has made only one additional signing—French international Bradley Barcola, who has joined for an initial €123 million (with a potential €19 million in add-ons) from Paris Saint-Germain. While Barcola is poised to inject valuable pace and energy into the attack, he does not directly resolve the lack of depth on the right wing or the evident issues in midfield and at right back.

In the end, this summarizes Liverpool’s dilemma. While they have undeniably secured quality additions this summer, they have neglected to address the essential depth needed to close the gap on Arsenal and Manchester City at the summit of the league.

Each of their summer signings brings something to be excited about. Barcola is a clear highlight, yet fellow forward Víctor Muñoz has already made an impact, notably winning a late penalty against Newcastle United and scoring a spectacular equalizer in last weekend’s 2-2 clash with Nottingham Forest. At a time when Premier League clubs are splurging on attacking talent, securing the Spanish international for €40 million from Osasuna might prove to be a savvy move.

Moreover, the €70 million investment in center back Jérémy Jacquet seems astute, as the promising talent has made a strong impression since joining Anfield. The acquisition of Barcelona captain Ronald Araújo on a season-long loan also represents a relatively low-risk option, providing immediate depth in defense.

With a total net spend of £218 million, Liverpool’s expenditure is the most significant in the Premier League. Although this counters claims of lack of ambition directed at owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG), some argue that these funds should have been allocated more effectively across different positions.

The last senior addition to the midfield was Ryan Gravenberch in September 2023, coinciding with their unsuccessful pursuit of Chelsea-bound Moisés Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Although Iraola does not rely on a traditional deep-lying midfielder, the concerning way Liverpool has been exposed in their opening matches highlights fans’ calls for a more defensive presence in midfield.

The rise of academy talent Trey Nyoni, who transferred from Leicester City in 2023, is anticipated to help offset the gap left by Jones’ €35 million move to Inter Milan. However, given that the 19-year-old has only played 21 minutes in the Premier League last season, patience will be necessary as he acclimatizes to the demands of top-tier football.

Moreover, Liverpool currently lacks a match-fit specialist right-back, as demonstrated by midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai‘s deployment in that position during the match against Forest. So far, Jeremie Frimpong has struggled as part of the backline, while first-choice Conor Bradley will require careful management upon his return from a serious knee injury suffered in January.

With center back Giovanni Leoni and striker Hugo Ekitike expected to return from their long-term injuries soon, Liverpool chose not to invest heavily in short-term fixes. While this business strategy makes sense financially, it poses the risk of another season without competing seriously for top honors.

Additionally, it appears that Liverpool’s summer transfer dealings have been hindered by their inability to extract substantial fees for outgoing players, potentially a consequence of poor squad planning. For instance, allowing a Premier League-winning center back like Konaté to leave for free to Real Madrid during a summer when Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both paid over £50 million for their respective signings of Maxence Lacroix and Jan Paul van Hecke is a significant shortcoming.

Cody Gakpo was among the few players who might have helped balance the club’s finances this summer, with Manchester City expressing interest in opting for an £80 million deal for the forward. Nevertheless, Liverpool ultimately made the prudent decision to decline this deal due to the lack of a suitable replacement.

All these developments unfold against a backdrop of substantial changes off the pitch.

The continuous speculation regarding sporting director Richard Hughes’s potential move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal has heightened unrest among the fanbase. Additionally, Michael Edwards’ departure from FSG as CEO of Football in July has fueled perceptions of Liverpool as a club undergoing transitions, while FSG’s decision to sell a significant minority stake in the club to a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has also raised questions regarding the direction of long-term planning at Anfield.

This summer, Iraola has repeatedly expressed his eagerness for the end of the transfer window to gain a clearer view of his squad. Now that the window has closed, he might feel justifiably disappointed with the final outcomes.