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In his two public appearances in front of the press so far, new Liverpool head coach has spoken pretty honestly on every subject matter he has been asked about. This extends to transfers. On Tuesday, the 44 year old was talking at Chicago Fire Endeavor Health Performance Centre, the Reds' temporary base during their three-match U.S. tour.
Here is what the Spaniard had to say when asked "if he has a number of how many players you need" to sign before the end of the window:
No, I think it’s difficult to say a number when the market is open, and you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad. There are obvious situations that we know where we need to sign players. A winger, for example – we definitely need to sign a winger. But there are other situations that we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what’s the cost, how we also see the players we have.
Iraola added that their business is complicated further by having key players injured long-term, namely Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitiké, which is "not the ideal situation". Nevertheless, he has made it pretty clear that he is far from satisfied with the current Liverpool squad, and is demanding reinforcements.
This is very aligned with how disgruntled supporters are feeling right now. As previously documented by Rousing the Kop, Liverpool's slow start to the window had fans asserting "we already know what we need why wasting time now?" and "biggest transfer window in years and it’s a shambles so far".
So, which positions should Iraola and the recruitment staff be prioritising?
Winger
The strongest quote from Iraola on this subject was "we definitely need to sign a winger". This though is not a revelation to anyone. Given that Mohamed Salah having has departed and Ekitiké will be sidelined for most of next season, even with the arrival of Víctor Muñoz, Liverpool's attacking options are significantly depleted.
Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomandé, who would both cost close to £100 million, are seemingly their top two targets, but neither appear overly likely to be heading to Anfield, at least not any time soon, which leaves the club in a difficult position.
Right-back
What Iraola chooses to do at right-back might just be the most intersting thing to watch out for during pre-season. 12 months after he left for Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold is yet to be truly replaced. Bradley remains sidelined after his horrific knee injury suffered in January, while Jeremie Frimpong was quickly not trusted as a right-back by Arne Slot; the flying Dutchman much stronger going forward than he is defensively. It'll be interesting to see if the new boss agrees. Thus, not adding another option in this position would leave the Reds vulnerable again.
Centre-back
Liverpool were one centre-back short all throughout last season, and this is yet to be addressed. Jérémy Jacquet has arrived from Stade Rennais for £60 million, but he is merely replacing Ibrahima Konaté, who has joined Real Madrid on a Bosman in a move more than a year in the making.
So, as it stands, Jacquet is set to be Virgil van Dijk's partner, with Joe Gomez the only depth option, as Giovanni Leoni works his way back to full fitness after suffering an ACL injury on debut in the EFL Cup last September. Depending on how much faith the club have in 21 year old Jacquet, they may not need to spend big in this area, but an extra player is for sure needed.
Defensive midfielder
Lastly, will Liverpool go a third successive summer transfer window without signing a starting-level defensive midfielder? Two years ago, the Reds activated Martín Zubimendi's release clause, only for him to stay at Real Sociedad, before joining Arsenal instead 12 months later. Thus, Slot converted Ryan Gravenberch into the defensive midfielder, and this worked very well during the title winning campaign, albeit his limitations were perhaps found wanting last time round.
A midfield trio of Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, once he returns from his holiday, is one of the best in the Premier League. Iraola also has Wataru Endō, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajčetić and Florian Wirtz, if he is considered a midfielder, that remains to be seen. Thus, this is indisputably the strongest department of the Reds' squad.
Nevertheless, Iraola will surely be targeting a specialist defensive midfielder, especially if Jones or Endō or potentially even both depart for pastures new between now and the window slamming shut on 1 September.
In short, there is plenty of work for Liverpool still to do in the market to give themselves the best possible chance of competing to win the Premier League and Champions League this season.
Today's best reads
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This article was originally published on rushthekop.com as Andoni Iraola shares Liverpool fans frustrations over lack of transfer activity.
