Andoni Iraola Liverpool Squad Changes: Key Weaknesses Emerge
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool squad changes centre on three immediate tasks: signing a right-sided winger, finding defensive cover and deciding which existing or academy players can handle larger roles.
The new head coach has not set a fixed number of arrivals because injuries, market value and pre-season evidence will shape the final plan.
Liverpool’s transition is unusually deep. One squad analysis reported that more than £400 million was spent last summer, with eight first-team arrivals and five departures, yet several important roles remain unresolved.
Key Takeaways
- Right wing is the only position Iraola has publicly identified as a definite signing need.
- Right-back and centre-back depth is currently thin.
- Five pre-season friendlies will test senior, returning and academy options.
- Eight World Cup players are following staggered return schedules.
- Secondary-source figures of 81 lost goals and 78 conceded underline the scale of the rebuild.
Recruitment and internal player development will therefore be equally important.
What Andoni Iraola Liverpool Squad Changes Have Emerged?
The first changes involve assessment rather than an immediate overhaul. Iraola intends to examine players in training, test them in different positions and determine where they feel most comfortable before making final decisions.
He has also retained much of the pre-season programme prepared before his arrival.
However, individual schedules have been adjusted for players returning from the World Cup, while academy players and returning loanees will receive additional opportunities during the opening weeks.
The Main Forms Of Change
- Liverpool are seeking further first-team signings.
- Existing players may be tested in alternative positions.
- Academy prospects will receive meaningful pre-season minutes.
- Injured players require short-term replacements or cover.
- International players will return on different timetables.
- Iraola is introducing a more vertical, intense and aggressive style.
These changes show that the process concerns squad structure, availability and tactics—not simply transfer spending.
Why Has Liverpool’s Squad Overhaul Become So Urgent?
The urgency comes from the number of established players lost over two summers.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz made a combined 75 starts during Liverpool’s 2024–25 title-winning campaign, while later departures removed Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson from the previous core.
A supplied analysis counted five members of that title-winning starting XI as having left within approximately 15 months.
It also listed Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher among the other departures, with the futures of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott attracting discussion.
Liverpool are consequently replacing more than individual talent. They must recover attacking output, defensive experience, leadership and established partnerships while adapting to a new coaching staff.
The challenge is intensified by injuries. Iraola said Liverpool began pre-season with five unavailable players, although only Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni were described as long-term cases in the latest official update.
Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo were moving closer to partial team training, showing why current medical information matters more than earlier summaries.
Which Departures Have Created Liverpool’s Biggest Squad Gaps?
Iraola formally succeeded Arne Slot in June 2026, as confirmed in the official head-coach appointment announcement. He inherited a side that had lost experienced starters across defence and attack, rather than one isolated position.
Attacking Output And Right-Sided Balance
Salah’s departure created the most obvious attacking vacancy.
One analysis calculated that Salah still delivered 22 goal involvements during his final season and that the collective departures of Salah, Diaz, Jota, Nunez, Alexander-Arnold and Konate removed 81 goals from the title-winning group.
That 81-goal figure is a secondary-source calculation rather than an official club total, but it illustrates the scale of production that must be redistributed.
Liverpool need goals from several positions instead of expecting one signing to reproduce Salah’s entire contribution.
How Much Experience Has Left?
Alexander-Arnold, Robertson and Konate provided established defensive relationships. Salah and Diaz supplied reliable wide attacking output, while several other departures reduced the depth available during injuries and fixture congestion.
Liverpool have added players such as Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz, but both arrive with limited experience of the specific demands they will face.
Jacquet’s fee was widely reported at £60 million, yet his development should not be confused with an immediate guarantee of replacing Konate’s experience.
Departure Impact Table
| Area | Departures Or Reduced Availability | Main Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Right wing | Salah and earlier attacking exits | Loss of goals, creativity and a clear first choice |
| Right-back | Alexander-Arnold’s departure and Bradley’s injury | Reduced passing quality and dependable availability |
| Centre-back | Konate’s departure and Leoni’s rehabilitation | Greater reliance on Van Dijk, Gomez and Jacquet |
| Centre-forward | Nunez and Jota gone, Ekitike injured | Heavy dependence on Alexander Isak |
| Leadership | Salah, Robertson and Konate gone | Fewer experienced voices during transition |
The most serious issue is the concentration of those losses across several connected positions.
Can One Transfer Window Repair Every Gap?
Liverpool are unlikely to replace every departed player with a specialist signing in one window. Some gaps may be covered by versatile recruits, academy players or improved performances from the existing squad.
The club must therefore distinguish between an essential winger, immediate defensive protection and positions that can be monitored until later windows.
A rushed attempt to solve every weakness could create another expensive but unbalanced squad.
Why Is A Right-Sided Attacker Iraola’s Clearest Priority?
Iraola has removed much of the uncertainty around Liverpool’s leading need. He said, “we definitely need to sign a winger”, while carefully avoiding the claim that one player could directly replace Salah.
The current right-sided options all create trade-offs. Jeremie Frimpong may be needed at right-back, Federico Chiesa provides centre-forward cover and Harvey Elliott is more naturally associated with creative central or inside-right positions.
Requirements For The New Winger
- The player should be comfortable starting from the right.
- The player should offer goals as well as ball progression.
- The player should press with the intensity Iraola demands.
- The player should threaten space behind opposing defenders.
- The player should combine effectively with the right-back.
- The player should ideally cover another attacking position.
Young winger Josh Abe, who has only recently turned 16, may earn tour minutes but should not be treated as the immediate first-team solution.
Will Wright, an 18-year-old reportedly signed for £200,000, can also benefit from the shortage of senior attackers without carrying responsibility for the rebuild.
Liverpool need a proven contributor while preserving a development pathway for both prospects.
How Serious Are Liverpool’s Right-Back And Centre-Back Problems?
Iraola has described Liverpool as “very thin right now” across right-back and centre-back. He said a fully fit Bradley would change the calculation, but the Northern Ireland international remains some distance from returning.
Frimpong, Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones all appeared at right-back last season.
That variety demonstrated flexibility, but it also showed Liverpool lacked a consistently available specialist following Alexander-Arnold’s departure.
Frimpong’s attacking qualities may suit an advanced role, yet using him on the wing leaves fewer defensive options.
Szoboszlai can cover the position but is more influential in midfield, while Bradley cannot immediately be expected to play every week after a serious knee injury.
Centre-back presents a similar problem.
Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Jacquet and Leoni provide four nominal options, but Jacquet and Leoni have no Premier League experience, Leoni is returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and Gomez has experienced repeated fitness interruptions.
One published analysis noted that the 35-year-old Van Dijk had exceeded 6,000 minutes for club and country during the previous campaign.
Even where the precise total varies by data provider, Iraola has independently described him as possibly the most-used player in Europe, strengthening the case for workload management.
How Will Injuries And Pre-Season Absences Shape Iraola’s Decisions?
Injuries will determine whether Liverpool recruit permanent first choices, temporary cover or versatile players capable of helping in several positions.
Current Injury Pressure
Bradley underwent knee surgery, Ekitike ruptured his Achilles tendon and Leoni continues his rehabilitation from an ACL injury. Iraola said Leoni was the closest of the three to returning, with Bradley and Ekitike still facing “months” out.
Ekitike’s absence leaves Alexander Isak as the main senior number nine. Chiesa can play centrally, while Danns and Wright offer younger alternatives, but entering a full season with so few established centre-forward options would carry a clear availability risk.
Which Returning Players Could Alter The Plan?
Bajcetic and Endo are expected to move towards partial group training during the United States tour. A successful return for either player could improve midfield depth and reduce pressure to make a reactive defensive-midfield signing.
Elliott has also returned eager to prove himself after a difficult season. Iraola confirmed he would receive a pre-season opportunity, making him a potential internal option on the right or in an advanced midfield role.
Staggered Preparation And Disrupted Assessment
Eight players require individual schedules after the World Cup. Ryan Gravenberch, Isak and Florian Wirtz are due to join the United States group, while Alisson Becker, Cody Gakpo and Van Dijk will initially train on Merseyside.
Alexis Mac Allister and Munoz will return last after contesting the World Cup final. The official World Cup return update says their delayed preparation could affect availability for the Premier League opener at Newcastle on 23 August.
Iraola must consequently evaluate parts of the squad before he has worked with the full group.
Can Iraola Solve Some Weaknesses With Liverpool’s Current Players?
Iraola initially told the squad that every player would be treated as one of his “new signings”. That approach creates genuine opportunities for players whose roles or form declined under the previous coaching structure.
Possible Internal Solutions
- Elliott could provide creativity from the right or an advanced central role.
- Frimpong could alternate between full-back and winger.
- Bajcetic or Endo could strengthen midfield protection when fit.
- Rio Ngumoha could earn more senior minutes on the left.
- Jacquet could develop alongside an experienced centre-back.
- Chiesa could provide temporary cover through the middle.
- Academy players such as Abe and Wright could support the tour squad.
These options could save transfer funds, but they should not be used to disguise clear shortages.
Sixteen-year-old Abe may have exceptional potential, while Jacquet may possess the tools to become a leading defender, yet neither should be burdened with solving an immediate first-team problem alone.
Iraola’s task is to maximise internal quality without confusing potential with established reliability.
What Transfer Strategy Should Liverpool Follow Before The Season?
Liverpool should prioritise a natural right winger, defensive depth and attacking cover while keeping the number of arrivals flexible.
Proven Experience Versus Long-Term Potential
Jacquet and Munoz represent younger investments, but the remaining business may need to include at least one player ready for immediate Premier League responsibility.
An experienced centre-back could reduce Van Dijk’s workload and allow Jacquet and Leoni to develop without being rushed.
At right-back, reliability and defensive positioning may be more valuable than adding another highly attacking option alongside Milos Kerkez.
Should Liverpool Prioritise Versatile Players?
Versatility could help Liverpool cover several shortages with fewer transfers.
Priority And Coverage Table
| Priority | Preferred Profile | Additional Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Right winger | Proven right-sided scorer and creator | Centre-forward or attacking midfield |
| Defender | Reliable right-back or centre-back | Ability to cover both positions |
| Forward cover | Mobile alternative to Isak | Ability to operate from either wing |
| Midfield protection | Positionally disciplined ball-winner | Centre-back cover where appropriate |
Versatility is useful only when the recruit also has a clearly defined primary role.
Recruitment Risks And Market Timing
Iraola has not provided a fixed target for the number of signings. In the official transfer-window press conference, he explained that decisions will depend on injuries, existing players, market opportunities and cost.
Liverpool have five scheduled friendlies—against Sunderland, Wrexham, Leeds United, Monaco and Como—to assess their options.
The initial United States squad contains 31 players, including senior players completing rehabilitation and multiple academy prospects.
Waiting may reveal an internal solution, but delaying an essential winger or defender would reduce the time available for tactical integration.
Conclusion
The Andoni Iraola Liverpool squad changes amount to a substantial rebuild rather than a minor tactical reset.
The head coach must replace attacking production, strengthen defensive depth, manage serious injuries and introduce new methods to a group returning at different stages.
A right-sided winger is the clearest confirmed priority. Right-back and centre-back also require attention, while Ekitike’s injury creates a legitimate need for additional centre-forward cover.
The reported £400 million spent last summer, eight arrivals, five departures, 75 lost title-winning starts, 81 removed goals and 78 goals conceded provide context, but they should not all be treated as official club statistics.
They are best used as indicators of scale alongside verified squad, injury and transfer information.
Liverpool’s strongest strategy would combine one or two experienced additions with carefully managed opportunities for Elliott, Jacquet, Ngumoha and other young players.
Iraola’s first summer will ultimately be judged on whether the squad becomes more balanced, not simply on how many players arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Did Andoni Iraola Take Charge Of Liverpool?
Iraola was officially appointed on 4 June 2026 ahead of the 2026–27 season. He succeeded Arne Slot after three Premier League seasons with Bournemouth.
What Happened To Arne Slot’s Pre-Season Programme?
Iraola retained most of the existing organisation to avoid unnecessary disruption. He changed individual return timetables according to World Cup involvement and player recovery needs.
Has Iraola Confirmed How Many Players Liverpool Will Sign?
No fixed number has been announced. Iraola said the final total will depend on market options, cost, injuries and the players already available.
Could Harvey Elliott Receive Another Liverpool Opportunity?
Yes, Iraola has confirmed Elliott will be assessed during pre-season. His ability to operate from the right or centrally could become valuable in the reshaped squad.
Where Could Jeremie Frimpong Play Under Iraola?
Frimpong could feature as a right-back, wing-back or advanced wide player. His eventual role may depend on Bradley’s recovery and whether Liverpool recruit another right-sided defender.
Why Is A Specialist Number Six Being Discussed?
Liverpool conceded a reported 78 goals in all competitions last season, prompting concern about protection in front of defence. A positionally disciplined midfielder could help close spaces without restricting Gravenberch’s forward contribution.
When Will Liverpool’s Final Squad Become Clearer?
The picture should develop through the five pre-season friendlies and the closing stages of the transfer window. Injury progress and the performance of returning or academy players will also influence the final decisions.
Note
Transfer links, reported fees and calculations such as the £400 million expenditure, 81 lost goals, £60 million Jacquet fee, £200,000 Wright fee and Van Dijk’s 6,000-plus minutes are secondary-source figures unless officially confirmed.
They should remain clearly attributed and updated if verified information changes before publication.
