Liverpool find themselves with a noticeably thin roster just three weeks before the Premier League campaign kicks off, and the window for further summer signings appears to be closing fast. The most pressing need is a dynamic wide attacker, and the club is reportedly preparing to approach Paris Saint-Germain about bringing Bradley Barcola to Anfield. Beyond that, concerns are mounting among the fanbase about the overall depth of the squad, especially in defensive positions, as head coach Andoni Iraola embarks on his inaugural season at the helm. An early setback arrived in the form of an injury to Joë Gomez, who will miss the opening league fixture against Newcastle United.
With Gomez sidelined, Virgil van Dijk stands as the sole senior centre‑back currently fit for selection. The club recently secured the services of 21‑year‑old Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for a reported £60 million, intending him to form a partnership with van Dijk. However, Jacquet has yet to feature in any pre‑season match, largely because a lingering shoulder problem that has kept him out since February is still being managed cautiously.
Adding to the defensive conundrum, 19‑year‑old Giovanni Leoni – Liverpool's fourth‑choice centre‑back – is still undergoing rehabilitation after suffering an ACL rupture on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last September. At this stage, the timeline for either Jacquet or Leoni to achieve full match fitness remains uncertain. Despite these setbacks, Liverpool's transfer strategy does not appear to be altered by Gomez's injury. The club views his absence as a short‑term issue and continues to prioritise the acquisition of a marquee wide forward to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah's departure.
The recent arrival of Victor Muñoz from Celta Vigo adds a youthful option to the flanks, but at 23 years old he lacks the experience and star power required to replace Salah on his own. In pre‑season, Iraola has experimented with several academy prospects, including Luke Chambers, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mortalla Ndiaye, sparking speculation about whether any of them might be thrust into a starting centre‑back role against Newcastle. Ryan Gravenberch has also been used sporadically in defensive positions, offering a potential stop‑gap solution.
Complicating matters further, van Dijk missed Liverpool's summer tour of the United States following the World Cup, reducing the amount of time he and any prospective partner have to develop on‑field chemistry before the season opener. The right‑back spot is another area of immediate concern. While Conor Bradley's recovery from a serious knee injury is expected to take several months, the club could look to Jeremie Frimpong, who has struggled to cement a place at Anfield due to the heavy defensive responsibilities placed on him. Previously, Arne Slot – Iraola's predecessor – resorted to using Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai as makeshift right‑backs during Bradley's absence, and Gomez himself has occasionally filled the role when fit, though that would further deplete centre‑back options.
At present, signing a dedicated right‑back does not rank high on Liverpool's transfer agenda; the primary focus remains on securing a high‑profile winger. The departure of Salah has left a glaring gap on the right flank, and while Muñoz can operate on both sides, his limited Premier League experience makes him a less than ideal replacement.
Jamie Carragher has voiced doubts about whether Barcola, a left‑footed player by nature, is the right fit to succeed Salah, even though he is capable of playing on either wing. Liverpool's current pool of wide players includes Muñoz, Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo and the potential Barcola signing. All are accustomed to favouring one side, and none offers a natural right‑wing alternative to Salah. Federico Chiesa has been mentioned as a possible addition, but his future remains uncertain.
Iraola has made it clear that versatility will be a key expectation: every winger in the squad is likely to be deployed on both flanks. This flexibility was a factor in Muñoz's recruitment, and Ngumoha has already featured on the right during pre‑season fixtures. Tottenham have expressed interest in Gakpo, but Liverpool would only consider a sale if they feel they have secured a suitable replacement. Gakpo brings considerable Premier League experience, and his departure would leave the team without a seasoned wide player capable of influencing games at that level.
Moreover, Gakpo can provide cover as a striker – a role that may become crucial if Hugo Ekitike's recovery from an Achilles injury stalls or if Alexander Isak continues to struggle with fitness. In midfield, Gravenberch's emergence as a deep‑lying playmaker under Arne Slot reduced the urgency of signing a dedicated holding midfielder last summer. However, the performances of the previous season have highlighted a need for additional depth in that area.
Inter Milan have shown interest in Curtis Jones, but Liverpool's valuation of the youngster exceeds what Inter are prepared to pay, especially given the current market dynamics for proven Premier League midfielders. Academy graduate Trey Nyoni impressed during his limited Carabao Cup appearances and could earn more minutes next season if Jones departs. Nyoni's development could also help alleviate the squad's reliance on using midfielders such as Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai at right‑back when Bradley is unavailable.
Fan sentiment on social media reflects the anxiety surrounding the thin squad. Comments range from calls for immediate reinforcement of the back line and midfield to suggestions of loan deals for players like Trent Alexander‑Arnold. Others advocate for the return of former striker Darwin Núñez, arguing that his versatility would free up resources to address defensive deficiencies.
In summary, Liverpool enter the new campaign with a roster that is arguably under‑strength in several key positions. While the club is actively pursuing a high‑profile winger to replace Salah, the defensive depth – particularly at centre‑back and right‑back – remains a significant worry.
The success of the season will largely depend on how quickly new signings adapt, how effectively academy players can step up, and whether the management can navigate the transfer market to plug the most pressing gaps before the busy weeks of September.