Liverpool find themselves with several positional shortfalls only three weeks before the Premier League campaign kicks off, and there appears to be little prospect of adding further reinforcements before the season begins. The most urgent target is a wide forward, and the club is expected to move forward with formal talks with Paris Saint-Germain regarding the acquisition of Bradley Barcola. While the focus remains on that marquee signing, concerns are mounting among fans about the overall depth of the squad, especially in defence, as head coach Andoni Iraola prepares for his inaugural season in charge. An early setback arrived in the form of an injury to Joé Gomez, who will miss Liverpool's opening match against Newcastle United.
This injury leaves Virgil van Dijk as the sole senior centre‑back fit for selection at the moment. The club recently secured Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for a reported £60 million, intending him to partner Van Dijk, but the 21‑year‑old has yet to feature in any pre‑season game.
Jacquet is still recovering from a shoulder problem that has kept him sidelined since February, and his fitness timeline remains uncertain. Adding to the defensive dilemma, 19‑year‑old Giovanni Leoni – currently Liverpool's fourth‑choice centre‑back – is still undergoing rehabilitation after tearing his ACL on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last September.
At this stage, neither Jacquet nor Leoni can be counted on to be match‑ready. The club’s transfer strategy does not appear to be altered by Gomez's short‑term absence; the injury is viewed as a temporary issue, and the priority list still centres on securing a high‑profile wide attacker. In the meantime, Iraola has been rotating young prospects such as Luke Chambers, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye during pre‑season fixtures, raising the question of whether any of them might be drafted alongside Van Dijk for the season‑opening encounter.
Ryan Gravenberch also offers a potential solution, having filled in at centre‑back during brief spells earlier in the campaign. Complicating matters further, Van Dijk opted not to travel to the United States for Liverpool's pre‑season tour after the World Cup break, meaning the defensive partner who eventually lines up with him will have limited time to develop on‑field chemistry before the first league game.
At right‑back, Iraola inherited a particularly thorny situation. While the return of Conor Bradley from a serious knee injury could eventually ease the pressure, the defender himself has indicated that his comeback could be several months away. In the interim, Jeremie Frimpong remains an option, yet his performances at Anfield have been hampered by the heavy defensive responsibilities placed upon him. Last season, Arne Slot – Iraola's predecessor – resorted to using Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai at right‑back when Bradley was unavailable.
Gomez, when fit, has also been deployed in that role, but doing so would further limit centre‑back options. At present, Liverpool do not view the acquisition of a new right‑back as a top‑priority in this transfer window; the focus remains squarely on bolstering the wide attacking positions.
The departure of Mohamed Salah has left a glaring void on the right flank, and while Victor Muñoz arrived from Celta Vigo, his age (23) and relative inexperience mean he cannot be expected to shoulder the full weight of Salah's responsibilities alone. Jamie Carragher has publicly questioned whether Barcola – the player Liverpool are poised to pursue – is the ideal replacement, noting that Barcola traditionally prefers the left side. Muñoz, like Barcola, is capable of operating on both wings but has spent the majority of his career on the left.
Consequently, Liverpool possess a collection of wingers – Muñoz, Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo and, potentially, Barcola – who each have a side they favour, leaving the team without a natural right‑wing specialist to directly succeed Salah. Federico Chiesa has been mentioned as an alternative, yet his future remains uncertain, and any winger brought in will likely be required to play on both flanks under Iraola's system. This versatility was a key factor in Muñoz's signing, and Ngumoha has already featured on the right during pre‑season matches. Tottenham have shown interest in Gakpo, but Liverpool would only consider selling him if they feel adequately compensated and if a suitable replacement is secured, especially given his four‑year contract and his status as one of the few wide players with extensive Premier League experience.
Beyond the wings, Gakpo also provides valuable depth as a backup striker – a role that could become crucial if Hugo Ekitike's recovery from an Achilles injury stalls or if Alexander Isak continues to struggle with fitness concerns. The midfield area is similarly thin. Gravenberch's emergence as a deep‑lying midfielder in Slot's first season pushed the acquisition of a dedicated number‑6 down the priority list, but Liverpool's performances last season highlighted the need for reinforcement in that sector.
Inter Milan have expressed a desire to sign Curtis Jones, yet their valuation does not meet Liverpool's expectations, especially in a market where comparable Premier League midfielders have commanded substantial fees. Should Jones depart, a replacement would be essential.
Academy graduate Trey Nyoni has made a compelling case for increased involvement after starting twice in the Carabao Cup, and he could provide a viable option if the club decides to move Jones. Overall, the squad is widely perceived as being built on "bare bones". Fans and pundits alike have called for immediate reinforcements across the back line – a right‑back, two centre‑backs, a holding midfielder – as well as two quality wingers to fill the creative void left by Salah.
The prevailing sentiment is that without a stronger defensive foundation and more depth on the flanks, Liverpool will struggle to compete at the highest level this season. In summary, Iraola faces a multifaceted challenge: he must integrate a largely untested defensive unit, manage the integration of young prospects, and secure a marquee wide forward who can deliver goals and assist on both sides of the pitch.
The club's transfer window remains open, but the priority list is clear – add a proven right‑back, strengthen central defence, acquire a reliable number‑6, and ensure the wing positions are populated by players capable of delivering the kind of output that Liverpool fans have come to expect.