Andoni Iraola has taken over the role of head coach at Liverpool following the departure of Arne Slot, and at the very start of his tenure he warned that the squad does not have enough wingers for the start of the new season. The specialist highlighted that players specific to those positions are necessary, but expressed full confidence that a suitable solution would be found before the transfer window closes.
The club has lost several key members of the squad during the summer, among them Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konaté. The board has already acted on the field, signing Victor Muñoz for £34.5 million and bringing in Ronald Araújo on loan from Barcelona. Additionally, an agreement for the signing of Jeremy Queta from Rennes, valued at £60 million, was made in January.
Despite these steps, Iraola expressed concern during the pre-season in the US, stating that the wide areas are still quite thin. The manager wanted the players to be available for the first day of training on 13 July, and now reiterates that he will sign new players, while leaving some business for the end of the period.
The transfer process is not static. Liverpool earlier this week rejected a bid of £50 million for Bright Maquinta. At the same time, the club explored the possibility of bringing in PSG's Ibrahim Maïga, but Bradley Barcola remains the primary target for a wide player.
Special attention is being paid to the situation surrounding Curtis Jones. Although the young player is keen on the club, he is in Italy to complete a transfer to Inter Milan for £30 million. Iraola spoke with Jones during the first or second training session, highly valuing his talent, but the official transfer has not yet been finalised. The situation is ongoing, with Liverpool believing that the end of the transfer window will be very busy.
Iraola stressed that the key is what the picture will look like on 1 September. Despite the current challenges with the squad, there is confidence in the circles at Anfield that the board will manage to resolve the squad depth issues in the wide areas.
