Andoni Iraola was candid and precise in his assessments ahead of the transfer deadline. However, he failed to strengthen the club's problematic positions.
“We need more players. We know that. The club is working on it,”
These remarks came on July 13, when hopes were high that the summer transfer window would address the squad imbalance that saw Liverpool finish a disappointing fifth last season.
Fast forward to the deadline, and it seems Iraola is grappling with the same issues that plagued his predecessor. Many of the squad's deficiencies remain unaddressed.
On paper, Liverpool's squad has actually weakened. Despite bringing in four new players, the losses of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, and Curtis Jones have been significant. Additionally, Calvin Ramsay and Stefan Bajcetic have left the club, while Harvey Elliott has been loaned out to Valencia.
The Reds opted against enhancing their squad depth, which is increasingly becoming essential in elite football, as proven by Arsenal's strong finish last season.
As he embarks on his first Champions League campaign, Iraola was keen on bolstering the team:
“We will definitely sign some players. Some deals take a while, right up until the end. But that end is an important picture that we will have on September 1 because it’s true that we still have quite a few players.”
In the ensuing weeks, Liverpool made just one signing. Bradley Barcola joined from PSG for an initial €123 million, rising to €142 million including potential bonuses.
The French winger will add some dynamism to the left flank, but he fails to address the pressing need for depth on the right and does nothing to remedy the clear issues in midfield and right-back positions. While the club has improved quality, they have sacrificed the depth required to compete with Manchester City and Arsenal.
Individually, the summer signings are exciting prospects. Victor Munoz has already made an impact, earning a late penalty against Newcastle and scoring a stunning goal against Nottingham Forest. His signing from Osasuna for €40 million appears to be a savvy move.
The €70 million paid to Rennes for Jeremy Doku also seems like a smart investment, with the loan signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona representing a low-risk addition.
Liverpool's net spending amounts to £218 million, the highest in the league, dispelling accusations of lacking ambition from the owners; however, a more balanced distribution of these funds would have been wiser.
The last signing of an established midfielder was Ryan Gravenberch back in September 2023. Poor showings in the first two matches of the season have led fans to cry out for a classic holding midfielder.
Much is expected from Trey Niouni to fill the void left by Jones’s departure to Inter for £35 million. Yet, the 19-year-old isn't quite ready for the rigours of top-flight football.
Currently, Liverpool lack a fit right-back. Dominik Szoboszlai was drafted into the role over the weekend, while Jeremy Frimpong’s performances have yet to impress, and Conor Bradley’s minutes need precise management post-injury.
The returns of Giovanni Leo and Hugo Ekitike after their injuries have eased the short-term financial burden, which certainly makes business sense, but could cost the team a season without title contention.
Transfer dealings were hampered by an inability to command serious fees for departing players. Konate left for Real Madrid for free while the chance to sell Cody Gakpo to Manchester City for £80 million was turned down as the hierarchy deemed it too risky without a suitable replacement.
All this comes amid rumblings of change behind the scenes. Rumours of sporting director Richard Hughes moving to Al-Hilal have added to fan discontent, while the exit of Michael Edwards has further contributed to a sense of instability. Moreover, the owners’ decision to sell a stake to a consortium involving Jeff Bezos raises questions about the club's long-term strategy.
This summer, Iraola has expressed anticipation for the end of the window to reveal the final picture. He can now be forgiven for feeling disappointed with the outcome.
