Andoni Iraola Confirms Liverpool Will Sign More Players Before the Transfer Window Closes

Liverpool supporters have spent much of the summer asking the same question:

Are more players actually coming through the door?

Now we have an answer from the man who matters most.

Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Liverpool will definitely make more signings before the transfer window closes.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Liverpool boss said:

“We will definitely sign some players. Some deals you have to wait until the end…”

But it was what he said next that really caught my attention.

“But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1. Because it is true that we are still quite thin.”

Iraola admits what Liverpool fans already know

There has been plenty of debate among Liverpool supporters about the squad this summer.

Some believe the club have enough quality.

Others, myself included, have been concerned about the lack of depth in certain positions.

And now the manager himself has admitted that the squad is still quite thin.

That’s significant.

Iraola isn’t making excuses.

He’s looking at the squad and recognising that more players are required if Liverpool are going to compete properly across a demanding season.

👀 The timing is important

Liverpool’s Premier League campaign begins this weekend with a difficult trip to Newcastle.

That means Iraola knows he has to start the season with the squad currently available to him.

But the transfer window remains open.

And that’s why the manager is looking at the bigger picture.

September 1.

That’s when Liverpool will know exactly what their squad looks like.

And Iraola clearly expects that squad to be stronger than it is today.

The attacking positions look obvious

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Bradley Barcola, while the club have also explored alternatives including Yankuba Minteh and Ibrahim Mbaye.

Liverpool have already seen a £50m bid rejected for Minteh, while Barcola remains a major target.

For me, attacking reinforcements have to be one of the priorities.

Liverpool lost an enormous amount of attacking output with Mohamed Salah’s departure, while Hugo Ekitike is currently unavailable.

The club simply need more options.

But midfield still worries me

Curtis Jones’ impending departure to Inter Milan makes the midfield situation even more interesting.

Liverpool may not believe they need a traditional Fabinho-style No.6 in Iraola’s system, because the manager wants his midfield to defend and press collectively.

But that doesn’t change the fact that numbers matter.

There will be injuries.

There will be suspensions.

There will be Champions League games.

There will be domestic cup matches.

And Liverpool can’t expect three or four midfielders to play every week.

This is where Iraola’s words should reassure fans

The biggest takeaway from this interview isn’t necessarily who Liverpool are going to sign.

It’s that Iraola expects signings to happen.

That should give supporters some confidence.

The club aren’t sitting there thinking:

“This squad is fine.”

The manager has openly acknowledged that they’re thin.

And he has effectively confirmed that reinforcements are coming.

Now it’s up to Liverpool

We’ve heard plenty of rumours this summer.

Barcola.

Mbaye.

Minteh.

Nwaneri.

Midfielders.

Full-backs.

There has been no shortage of names.

But Liverpool supporters don’t need another rumour.

We need the players.

Iraola has made his position clear.

Liverpool will sign more players.

And the manager is looking towards September 1 as the date when everything will be judged.

I actually find this encouraging.

The manager knows the squad needs strengthening.

The club apparently knows the squad needs strengthening.

Now they have to get the deals done.

Because if Iraola is saying “we are still quite thin”, Liverpool can’t afford to ignore that.

Back the manager. Strengthen the squad. Then let’s see what this team can really do. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)