Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has admitted the squad is “very thin” in terms of defensive depth as the club prepares for the new season. Speaking during the first press conference of the summer 2026 USA tour on July 20, Iraola stated that the club is trying to find a solution for the lack of cover at both right-back and centre-back.
Defensive Depth Concerns Under Andoni Iraola
The situation at right-back is complicated by the recovery of Conor Bradley, who is returning from a serious, long-term injury. Iraola noted that while the club trusts Bradley in the long term, he is currently a little bit far from returning.
In central defence, the squad faces significant availability issues. Joe Gomez sustained a muscle injury during pre-season that will cause him to miss the Premier League opener against Newcastle. This leaves 35-year-old Virgil van Dijk as the only currently fit senior central defender in the squad.
Other central defensive options remain untested or sidelined. Jeremy Jacquet, signed from Rennes for £60m, has not played in pre-season due to caution surrounding a shoulder injury sustained in February. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni continues to rehab from an ACL tear suffered during his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup last September.
Transfer Priorities and the Pursuit of Bradley Barcola
Despite the defensive shortages, Liverpool’s immediate priority is securing a new wide forward following the departure of Mohamed Salah. Barcola has signaled his intention to join the Reds, though the transfer is expected to cost well in excess of £100m.
The search for a replacement for Salah has highlighted a lack of natural right-wingers. Federico Chiesa remains an option, though his future is described as uncertain.
FSG Denies Request for Defensive Reinforcements
Internal friction has emerged regarding how to address these gaps. According to Graeme Bailey, Iraola made it “crystal clear” to officials on July 27 that he wanted greater defensive depth before the season began. The club initially explored moves for Ezri Konsa and John Stones, but Stones joined Inter Milan as a free agent and Aston Villa refused to sell Konsa.
Despite these efforts, reports from Sky Sports indicate that owners FSG have told the manager to make do with the current squad.
Pre-Season Progress and Squad Integration
On the pitch, Iraola is working to instill an aggressive, progressive identity characterized by a high defensive line and pressing in attack. In a recent pre-season match in Nashville, Tennessee, Liverpool secured a 4-2 victory over Sunderland. The match featured several notable performances:
- Dominik Szoboszlai: Scored from outside the box to level the game at 2-2.
- Harvey Elliott: Provided an assist for Morrison in his first game back at the club following a spell at Aston Villa.
- Morrison: The 19-year-old Northern Ireland international scored with a left-footed finish.
- Josh Abe: The 16-year-old England youth international made his Liverpool debut in the second half.
- Federico Chiesa: Scored a goal following a pass from Calvin Ramsay.
Following the win, Iraola emphasized that there is still a lot of things to improve,
noting that the manner in which the team conceded two goals showed a need for further development. The squad is now based in Chicago, where Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Ryan Gravenberch have joined training.
