Liverpool find themselves facing a noticeable shortage of options across several areas of the squad only three weeks before the Premier League season kicks off, and there appears to be little chance of adding further signings before the campaign begins. The most urgent target on the transfer agenda is a wide forward, with the club expected to make a formal approach to Paris Saint‑Germain for the services of Bradley Barcola in the coming days. Beyond the need for a new winger, concerns are mounting among the Reds' supporters about the overall depth of the roster, especially in the defensive department, as head coach Andoni Iraola prepares for his inaugural season at Anfield. An injury to Joé Gomez, which will keep him out of the opening match against Newcastle United, has left Virgil van Dijk as the sole senior centre‑back available for selection at the moment.
The club recently secured the signing of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for a reported £60 million to partner Van Dijk in central defence. However, the 21‑year‑old has yet to feature in any pre‑season fixture, as Liverpool are exercising caution due to a shoulder problem that has sidelined him since February. Adding to the defensive dilemma, 19‑year‑old Giovanni Leoni, currently the fourth‑choice centre‑back, is still undergoing rehabilitation after suffering an ACL rupture on his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last September.
Consequently, it remains uncertain when either Jacquet or Leoni will be deemed fit to contribute. The club’s transfer strategy does not appear to be altered by Gomez’s short‑term setback; his absence is viewed as a temporary issue, and the priority remains focused on acquiring a marquee wide attacker. In the meantime, Iraola has been giving minutes to several youngsters during pre‑season, including Luke Chambers, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye, sparking speculation about whether any of them could be thrust alongside Van Dijk for the season opener.
Ryan Gravenberch also offers a potential solution, having filled in at centre‑back on a few occasions. Complicating matters further, Van Dijk did not travel to the United States for Liverpool’s pre‑season tour following his World Cup break, limiting the amount of time the defensive partners have to develop an on‑field understanding before the first league game. On the right‑back front, Iraola inherits a particularly tricky situation. While the return of Conor Bradley from a serious knee injury would eventually relieve the pressure, the former has indicated that his comeback could be several months away.
At present, the most realistic alternative is Jeremie Frimpong, who has struggled to impress at Anfield when tasked with heavy defensive duties. In the previous regime, Arne Slot resorted to using Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai at right‑back when Bradley was unavailable, and Gomez himself has occasionally been deployed in that role when fit, though that would further deplete centre‑back options.
Given the current circumstances, signing a dedicated right‑back is not a top priority for Liverpool this window; the club may revisit the position later, but the immediate focus remains on bolstering the wide attacking positions. The departure of Mohamed Salah has left a glaring void, and while Victor Muñoz arrived from Celta Vigo, his 23‑year‑old profile lacks the experience and stature to fill Salah’s shoes on his own.
There is ongoing debate about whether Barcola, who Liverpool are poised to pursue, is the appropriate replacement for Salah, especially since Barcola prefers the left side. Muñoz, like Barcola, can operate on both flanks but has spent the majority of his career on the left. Consequently, Liverpool’s current pool of wingers—Muñoz, Rio Ngomoha, Cody Gakpo and the potential addition of Barcola—mostly favour one side, leaving the right‑wing position without a natural successor to the departed Egyptian star.
Federico Chiesa has been mentioned as an option, yet his future remains uncertain. Iraola has made it clear that every winger in his squad will be expected to function on either flank, a flexibility that was a key factor in Muñoz’s acquisition and one that Ngomoha has already demonstrated in pre‑season matches on the right.
Tottenham have shown interest in Gakpo, but Liverpool would likely demand a substantial fee—given his four‑year contract—and would only consider a sale if they felt adequately replaced. Gakpo’s experience in the Premier League adds significant value to Liverpool’s wide‑area depth. Even if Barcola is signed, losing Gakpo would strip the team of its most seasoned Premier League winger and also diminish striker cover, a role that is increasingly important as Hugo Ekitike continues his Achilles rehabilitation and doubts linger over Alexander Isak’s durability.
Midfield depth is another area under scrutiny. Ryan Gravenberch’s emergence as a deep‑lying playmaker during Slot’s tenure pushed the acquisition of a dedicated holding midfielder down the priority list, yet recent performances have highlighted the need for reinforcement in that sector.
Inter Milan have expressed interest in Curtis Jones, but Liverpool’s valuation exceeds what Inter are prepared to meet, especially in a market where comparable Premier League talent commands premium fees. Should Jones depart, academy graduate Trey Nyoni, who featured twice in the Carabao Cup last season, could be given a larger role and help fill the gap.
The overall sentiment among fans is that the squad is "bare‑bones" and urgently requires reinforcements at right‑back, centre‑half, a number‑6, and at least two wingers. Various supporters have voiced opinions ranging from skepticism about Barcola’s price tag to suggestions of targeting players like Felix Nmecha or even recalling former striker Darwin Nunez to provide versatility across the front line. The consensus is clear: without a stronger defensive foundation and adequate depth on the wings, Liverpool’s ambitions for the upcoming season may be severely hampered.