Iraola identifies Liverpool’s transfer priorities as squad rebuild continues

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has admitted the club still have “obvious” areas that need strengthening before the transfer window closes, following a summer of high-profile departures and injury setbacks.

The Reds have welcomed Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz to Anfield, but have also seen key figures Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate leave the club. Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are currently sidelined through injury, leaving Iraola with several selection headaches ahead of the new campaign.

Speaking to reporters in Chicago on Tuesday, the Spanish coach said the club remain active in the market but insisted it was impossible to put a number on how many new signings would arrive.

“It’s difficult to say a number when the market is open. You always have to be open to new opportunities that can improve the squad,” Iraola said.

The Liverpool boss acknowledged there are certain positions that require immediate attention, with the wide areas among the club’s biggest priorities.

“There are obvious situations where we know we need to sign players. A winger, for example – we definitely need to sign a winger.”

However, Iraola stressed that any further recruitment would depend on the right opportunities becoming available.

“There are other situations that we will have to analyse – what the market offers, the cost involved and how we see the players we already have. We have some difficult positions because we have injured players that we trust, but it’s still not the ideal situation.”

The departures of Salah, Robertson and Konate have also reduced the amount of experience within Liverpool’s dressing room, placing even greater importance on the club’s remaining senior players.

Uncertainty also surrounds the future of veteran goalkeeper Alisson, but Iraola made it clear he hopes the Brazil international remains at Anfield.

“He’s someone who will definitely help us through this period of adaptation for the new signings, the young players.

“We need leaders like Virgil van Dijk, like Alisson and like Joe Gomez – players who have been here for a long time. I’m sure they will provide that guidance.”

Liverpool begin their pre-season schedule against Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday before facing Wrexham, Leeds United, AS Monaco and Como in a series of friendly fixtures.

The Reds then kick off their Premier League campaign with an away trip to Newcastle United on 23 August, by which time Iraola will be hoping his squad has received further reinforcements before the transfer window shuts.